<P> Throughout the trilogy, Elizabeth Swann is portrayed as a spirited, intelligent, and independent - minded character who often chafes at the restrictions imposed on her gender and social rank . Early on in the first movie she often fantasizes about pirates and life at sea . This may have been fueled somewhat by her association with another character, Will Turner, who eleven - year - old Elizabeth met when she and her father, Governor Weatherby Swann were en route to Port Royal eight years earlier . Will, also about eleven, was found adrift at sea, the sole survivor of a pirate attack . During his rescue, Elizabeth briefly glimpsed a mysterious ship slipping into the mist--a vessel foreshadowing her destiny . </P> <P> The story continues eight years later, and Elizabeth is now a marriageable age . Back then matrimony was a common means to forge strategic political alliances and advantageous social connections rather than loving unions, she is expected to wed a respectable and prosperous man equal or superior to her in rank . Elizabeth prefers marrying for love, and she may secretly harbor feelings for Will Turner . But Will, a common blacksmith, is an unsuitable match for such a well - born lady . And although Will secretly loves Elizabeth, he knows his place and keeps his feelings deeply hidden . Governor Swann, meanwhile, desires that his daughter marry Commodore James Norrington, a respected Royal Navy officer who Elizabeth admires but does not love . Ironically, it is Norrington who sets events into motion that not only alter Elizabeth's fate, but also his own and Will's . During Norrington's marriage proposal, Elizabeth, whose tightly laced corset nearly suffocates her, faints and falls off a rampart and into the bay . Her unlikely rescuer, and the catalyst for her transformation from a demure lady into a daring pirate, is the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow, newly arrived in Port Royal to commandeer a ship . Despite Sparrow's gallant actions and against Elizabeth's protests, he is promptly jailed for piracy and sentenced to hang . That night, a pirate ship, the Black Pearl, raids Port Royal . It is the same ship Elizabeth spied in the fog eight years earlier . When she is taken hostage it is discovered that she possesses Will's gold medallion that she took from him after his rescue, fearing it marked him as a pirate . Invoking parley, Elizabeth negotiates with Captain Barbossa to leave Port Royal in exchange for the coin . He agrees but keeps her captive on a technicality after she identifies herself as Elizabeth "Turner", mistakenly believing her blood can break an ancient Aztec curse the pirates are under . Their true forms--immortal skeletons--can only be seen in moonlight . </P> <P> Will's love for Elizabeth motivates his actions and helps drive the story; he will do anything to save her, including piracy . And though the peaceful and law - abiding Will despises pirates and distrusts Sparrow, he frees him, knowing only Sparrow can locate Isla de Muerta, the secret island where Elizabeth is being held . Will is unaware, however, that Jack Sparrow is the Black Pearl's former captain and that he has an ulterior motive for helping him: Turner blood and the gold medallion can break the Aztec curse--Sparrow intends to barter Will to Barbossa in exchange for the Black Pearl . </P> <P> When Will and Elizabeth escape Isla de Muerta, Barbossa pursues and captures their ship, sinking it . Will and the crew are thrown in the Pearl's brig, while Elizabeth and Sparrow are marooned on a deserted island . Elizabeth's feisty, self - sufficient nature propels her into taking action for their rescue by burning a cache of smugglers' rum . The towering smoke column is spotted by Commodore Norrington aboard Dauntless . To rescue Will, Elizabeth convinces Norrington to attack Isla de Muerta by impulsively accepting his previous marriage proposal . The commodore doubts her sincerity, though Elizabeth apparently intends to honor her promise, sacrificing her own happiness to save Will . She says nothing about the curse while Sparrow provides the bearings to Isla de Muerta, setting his own plan into motion . </P>

Who plays emma swan in pirates of the caribbean