10 Disney Villains Who Were Just Misunderstood

8. Captain Hook Was Not As Big A Jerk As Peter Pan

DisneyDisneyMuch like Santa Claus, Captain Hook is not so much an actual person as he is a state of mind. As such, he can't really be the villain. Captain Hook represents adulthood, the loss of innocence, the hands of a clock ticking, time constantly passing you by. And while there is a good guy/bad guy dichotomy that is thrust onto the story of Peter Pan, if you walk away from it convinced that Pan is a hero, you're doing it wrong. Out of the two characters, Hook is the one who has a more consistent moral compass. While he may do things that are untoward, he has very clear cut distinctions between what he considers to be good form and bad form, a remnant of his impeccable upbringing despite his career as a pirate. Peter, on the other hand, has the capriciousness of a child, and while capable of goodness also has a malevolent streak. And not to point fingers, but he was the one who cut off Hook's hand and fed it to a crocodile, exhibiting a bloodthirstiness and lust for violence that is particularly unbecoming in a young child. Hook has every right to want that little brat dead.
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Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.