Do we like them?

Do we like Captain Hook?

A character from Peter Pan; or, The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up (1904)

Our score: 2 out of 10. Dashing, witty and great company in a pantomime, but he's a bully and a would-be murderer who threatens children. We'd cheer for the crocodile.

Hook is the pirate captain of the Jolly Roger, anchored in Never Land. He is tall, dark and dramatic, with long curls, fine manners and an iron hook where his left hand should be. In J.M. Barrie's story, Peter Pan brings Wendy Darling and her brothers to Never Land, and Hook leads the pirates they run into along the way. Britannica calls him Peter's sworn enemy.

His whole life revolves around revenge. Peter cut off his hand and fed it to a crocodile, and the crocodile has stalked him ever since. Hook is cunning and theatrical, and he is also vain and easily wounded. He frightens his crew, schemes against the children, and plots to get rid of Peter for good. He is never a lovable rogue. He is a petty tyrant with a taste for fine speeches.

He scores low because the story never shows him doing anything kind. He is an enjoyable villain, and the humour and flair make him fun to watch. But he hunts children, bullies his men and holds a grudge for life. Peter is far from perfect, and Hook still loses our vote.

In Barrie's novel, Hook captures Wendy and the Lost Boys and challenges Peter to a final fight. Peter beats him and sends him overboard to the waiting crocodile. Hook's last complaint, as he falls, is that Peter has shown 'bad form'.