Captain Hook carried his grievances the way other men carry a watch — always with him and always being checked.
He had been humiliated by Peter Pan more times than he could comfortably count and he remembered every single one.
The loss of his hand was the original wound but Peter's laughter afterward had cut far deeper and lasted far longer.
Hook kept a detailed mental record of every defeat and every indignity he had suffered at the boy's careless hands.
His crew learned early that there were subjects to be avoided in the captain's presence if you valued your comfort.
Any man who made the mistake of mentioning Peter Pan carelessly could ruin the entire atmosphere of the ship for days.
Hook was dangerous not because he was powerful but because he was absolutely and permanently incapable of letting go.
Hook never forgave anyone.

Hook's inability to forgive is not merely a personality flaw — it is presented as the organizing principle of his life.
Everything he does, every decision he makes, every cruelty he inflicts can be traced back to that original wound.
Peter cut off his hand and laughed, and Hook decided in that moment to give Peter permanent control over his future.
This is the deep irony of the unforgiving mind that Barrie seems to understand with unusual clarity and precision.
Hook believes his obsession with revenge gives him power over Peter, but it actually gives Peter power over Hook.
Peter lives freely in the present, barely remembering Hook between encounters, laughing and moving on immediately.
Hook lives entirely in the past, replaying the same wound, allowing a boy who has forgotten him to ruin his every day.
The man who cannot forgive is not keeping his enemy imprisoned — he is keeping himself in a prison of his enemy's making.
Hook never forgave anyone.