We often think ourselves into believing that even thugs and criminals have a redeeming side to their character. We love pirates and outlaws with a little trace of gold in their hearts, neatly sidestepping the obvious truth that they were mostly thuggish brutes that would horrify us if we met them face to face.
Stories of their adventures are more palatable if covered in a thick sauce of good deeds. We like to think of them robbing the rich and evil and giving to the poor rather than robbing the rich and poor alike and keeping it all for themselves ! The legends are so much more agreeable than reality ! Stories of the hunted underdog who fights back quickly become stories of hope and of better days to come for the poor and abused...