James Norrington spent the better part of his life serving the crown, working his way up from Lieutenant to Commodore. He was an honourable man with an enviable lifestyle, a tennable position in the British Royal Fleet, a respectable reputation, and a beautiful Governor's daughter, whom he planned to marry. He also saw too it that all pirates he encountered were captured and hanged.

When his path crossed with that of Captain Jack Sparrow, it seemed he had found his match. Sparrow managed to escape his capture, leading Norrington and his crew to an eventual battle with the cursed crew of the Black Pearl. Sparrow was captured a second time by Norrington, and once again managed to escape with the help of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, the woman he initially wanted to marry. Being a decent man who truly loves Elizabeth and wants nothing more than her happiness, he humbly stepped back, and did not stand in the way of her and Will.

It was during his chase after Captain Jack Sparrow the second time around that he suffered through a hurricaine, and lost Sparrow and his position as Commodore. Some time after that he found himself in the last pirate port, Tortuga, with absolutely nothing of his once enviable life left, and out for vengence against Captain Jack.

Norrington, who was once lead by the greater cause, then becomes fuelled by selfish desires and a taste for revenge. He enlists with Captain Jack's new crew, and when the opportune moment came, picks a fight against Sparrow and Turner for the heart of Davy Jones, which he manages to steal without their knowledge. The heart, as legend has it, gives whoever posses it power over the seas. He uses this valuable treasure to barter with Lord Cutler Beckett for a full pardon in order to reinstate his former life.

Norrington Highlights

Elizabeth: I think it'd be rather exciting to meet a pirate.
Norrington: Think again, Miss Swann. Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what he deserves - a short drop and a sudden stop.

Norrington: This promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved. Uh... a marriage to a fine woman. You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: I can't breathe.
Norrington: Yes, I... I'm a bit nervous myself

Norrington: Well, I don't see your ship...Captain.
Jack: I'm in the market, as it were.
Murtogg: He said he'd come to commandeer one.
Mullroy: Told ya he was telling the truth. These are his, sir.
Norrington: No additional shots, nor powder. A compass that doesn't point north. (unsheathes sword) And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are, without doubt, the worst pirate I've ever heard of.
Jack: But you have heard of me.

Norrington: One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness.
Jack: Though it seems enough to condemn him.

Norrington: Well, I trust you will always remember this as the day that Captain Jack Sparrow almost escaped. Take him away.
Norrington: Rash, Turner, too rash. That is without doubt the worst pirate I have ever seen.
Groves: We open fire on our own ship, sir?
Norrington: I'd rather see her at the bottom of the ocean than in the hands of a pirate.

Groves: That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen.
Norrington: So it would seem.

Jack: If I may be so bold as to inject my professional opinion. The Pearl was listing near to scuppers after the battle. It's very unlikely she'll be able to make good time. Think about it. The Black Pearl. The last real pirate threat in the Caribbean, mate. How can you pass that up?
Norrington: By remembering that I serve others, Mr. Sparrow, not only myself.

Norrington: Mr. Sparrow, you will accompany these fine men to the helm and provide us with the bearing to Isla de Muerta. You will then spend the rest of the voyage contemplating all possible meanings of the phrase "silent as the grave." Do I make myself clear?
Jack: (to Norrington) I want you to know I was rooting for you, mate.

Part of:
Boourns.net and TheFanlistings.org
Hosted by: Dreamhost