Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - Characters & Cast

To reclaim the Black Pearl and achieve absolute freedom on the open sea.

Jack begins as a marooned captain seeking revenge. While he appears selfish, his arc shows him balancing his self-interest with genuine affection for Will and Elizabeth, eventually regaining his ship through wit rather than just brutality.

To rescue Elizabeth Swann and clear his family name.

Will starts as a law-abiding blacksmith with a black-and-white view of morality. He undergoes a metamorphosis into a nuanced man who understands that being a pirate is a choice of character, not just a label.

To escape the monotony of her social class and find true agency in her own life.

Elizabeth transitions from a restrained aristocrat to a daring strategist. She learns to use her intellect and femininity as weapons, eventually choosing a life of uncertainty over a secure, loveless marriage.

To break the curse of the Aztec gold and satisfy his long-dormant senses.

Barbossa serves as a mirror to Jack. His arc is a tragic quest for mortality; he is a villain driven by the simple, relatable human desire to feel again, only to die the moment he achieves it.