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CAPTAIN CORCORAN.  My gallant crew, good morning.
ALL (saluting).          Sir, good morning!
CAPT.               I hope you're all quite well.
ALL (as before).         Quite well; and you, sir?
CAPT.               I am in reasonable health, and happy
                    To meet you all once more.
ALL (as before).         You do us proud, sir!

Captain Corcoran's introduction immediately serves Gilbert by poking fun at a comical, somewhat incompetent captain.  The excessively proper address between the crew and Corcoran further mocks British tradition and over emphasis on that which is proper.

                        SONG - CAPTAIN CORCORAN

CAPT.                    I am the Captain of the Pinafore;
ALL.                And a right good captain, too!
CAPT.                    You're very, very good,
                         And be it understood,
                    I command a right good crew,
ALL.                     We're very, very good,
                         And be it understood,
                    He commands a right good crew.
CAPT.               Though related to a peer,
                    I can hand, reef, and steer,
                         And ship a selvagee;
                    I am never known to quail
                    At the furry of a gale,
                         And I'm never, never sick at sea!
ALL.                          What, never?
CAPT.                              No, never!
ALL.                          What, never?
CAPT.                              Hardly ever!
ALL.           He's hardly ever sick at sea!
               Then give three cheers, and one cheer more,
               For the hardy Captain of the Pinafore!

This comical verse well defines Corcoran's character as one capable of his post in some areas yet somewhat foolish and incompetent in other areas.  The crew is shown to know the Captain well for they quickly point out his error in claim to be absent of sea sickness. More so this verse serves as simple comical verse employed throughout the production.

CAPT.               I do my best to satisfy you all--
ALL.                And with you we're quite content.
CAPT.                    You're exceedingly polite,
                         And I think it only right
                    To return the compliment.
ALL.                We're exceedingly polite,
                         And he thinks it's only right
                    To return the compliment.
CAPT.                    Bad language or abuse,
                         I never, never use,
                    Whatever the emergency;
                         Though "Bother it" I may
                         Occasionally say,
                    I never use a big, big D
ALL.                          What, never?
CAPT.                              No, never!
ALL.                          What, never?
CAPT.                              Hardly ever!
ALL.           Hardly ever swears a big, big D
               Then give three cheers, and one cheer more,
               For the well-bred Captain of the Pinafore!
 
We again hear a mockery of proper language as Gilbert mocks swearing on the part of British aristocrats. Sir Joseph proves true to this observation by Gilbert as he equates proper etiquette with duty and the abuse of such with crime (though as normal ability is of little concern). This verse can also be interpreted as a mockery of the aristocracy who claim abstention from such language and force such upon others though they themselves are not always true to such a rule.