There are some old myths and legends that have been interwoven with the story of Davy Jones. These additions help to make a richer more complex legend for Mr. Jones
The story of Davy Jones is a combination of many different legends that were blended together from various different cultures. This was most likely the latent effect of various cultures clashing during the golden age of piracy. The terms and legend of Jones were made popular in various literature pieces such as Washington Irving’s “Adventures of the black fisherman” and “The adventures of Pereguine Pickle” written in 175 by Tobias Smolett. Since the character Davy Jones has played an important part in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy his popularity has grown tremendously. The legend has taken on new aspects as well such as the story of him cutting out his heart out of grief for the woman that he loved and the sailing of the Flying Dutchman.
Many have begun to relate the tragic love story of Davy Jones and Calypso with the story of Odysseus and Calypso (a daughter of Atlas). In the myth Odysseus has a love affair with Calypso while stranded on the deserted island of Malta. Odysseus is rescued but Calypso is left behind to die of grief.
The Flying Dutchman is another myth of a ghost ship that has been interwoven with the Davy Jones story. The true legend of the Flying Dutchman takes place off the coast of Cape Town. A captain by the name of Van Der Deckon decided to sail his ship after unloading all of his cargo even though his crew begged him not to. He sailed straight into a hurricane; the weather was so horrible that he had to leash himself to the helm to prevent him from being swept over board. In the midst of the storm he called out “God cannot even make me change my mind!” and he swore that he would sail on until he reached the end of the earth. Shortly after he said these words the storm died down and a ghost appeared on the ship. Immediately the crew dropped dead and when the captain tried to shoot this figure his arm withered. The ship went red in color and disappeared. It is said that it still sails the waters as it tries to make it around the Cape of Good Hope.
Davy Jones’ legend is an example of what can happen with stories and traditions from various cultures interacting with each other, the blend together to take on a new life. Davy Jones originally has legend aspects that stem from Northern Europe, India and even the Caribbean. As we can also see that over time folktales gain in substance. Every generation adds a little something to them. The Flying Dutchman was never associated with the Davy Jones myth until now. Most likely for generations to come Davy Jones will be associated with the ghost ship that couldn’t make it around the Cape of Good Hope and with the tragic character, Calypso, of Greek Mythology. This is a good thing for the Davy Jones myth, it adds complexity to the already rich legend.
