Jack Sparrow contrives much of his reputation in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, but he and Cutler Beckett actually share a significant history.

InPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Cutler Beckett remarks that he and Jack Sparrow have both left their mark on one another, but a full explanation for what that means is only found in material outside of the films. ThePirates of the Caribbean series followsCaptain Jack Sparrow anda rotating motley crewof adventurers as they facethreats both historical and supernatural. By virtue of its setting and time period, and as a form of contrast to its lawless leads,the franchise features many characters with some level of connectionto the British aristocracy.

Beckett is introduced inDead Man's Chest as a Director for the East India Trading Company who, in his vengeful quest to eradicate piracy, seeks out the power of the titular Dead Man's Chest. He had made opportunistic use of supernatural forces before, in material outside of the films, namely when forming a brief alliance of convenience with the undead pirate captain Jolly Roger. Beckett in a sense replaces the disgraced Norrington as the primary governmentalvillain, and in that capacity serves as a counterpart to Davy Jones, who succeeds Barbossa as the primary pirate villain.

Related: Pirates of the Caribbean: All 5 Ships Captained By Jack Sparrow

When describing his old adversary inDead Man's Chest, Beckettsays of Jack that "we've each left our mark on the other." In the case of Jack, this is a very literal reference to the "P" brand that Beckett had seared onto his skin to mark him as a pirate, whereasJack's corresponding mark on Beckett is more figurative.As established in prequel novelPirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom, as a young man, Jack worked for the East India Trading Company after being recruited by Beckett. Although not wantonly rebellious, Jack eventually defied Beckett on principle by refusing to reveal the location of the lost island of Kerma and freeing a shipful of slaves. In retaliation, Beckett branded Jack and scuttled the ship that would become theBlack Pearl, butbecause the consequences of Jack's exploits fell on the head of his immediate superior,Beckett's reputation was tarnished to the point that his social mobility was arrested and his aspirations for a noble title were frustrated. His "mark" was being weighed down by Sparrow's insubordination and his own inability to control him.

The question of social mobility isn't unique to Beckett in thePirates of the Caribbean films. Most centrally, Elizabeth's love for Will inThe Curse of the Black Pearlis complicated by his lower standing, and her ascension to the role of Pirate Lord inAt World's End could be seen as evidence of herbenefiting fromthe greater equality offered by the films' grungily idyllic pirate society. However, as is very rarely the case, Beckett had a specific individual that he could blame for his social stagnation, and his vendetta against Jack Sparrow brought a hateful spin to his lifelong fascination with pirates that would have far-reaching consequences.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: What The "Mark" Was That Jack Left On Beckett - Screen Rant