Week 12: Essay- Is Robin Hood Heroic?

One of the things that I've really enjoyed about this class so far, is that I have been able to read about many different heroes from many different civilizations and time periods. Through this, I've been able to try and determine what it is that makes a character a hero. That is kind of what I'm trying to do with my storybook, and I've kind of done it with a few of my essays. For this week though, I want to take a look at Robin Hood. Is he a hero? Or is he a misguided vigilante?

I think we can all agree that Batman is a hero. So, our heroes definitely don't need to operate within the framework of the law in the same way that normal citizens do. However, they still must have their own sense of justice, or what constitutes right and wrong. The Robin Hood that we see in modern re-tellings certainly meets this criteria. Though he is an outlaw, he robs from the rich to feed the poor. Helping the poor, or those unable to help themselves, is another fundamental aspect of being a hero, at least in my opinion. It also helps that he has an almost supernatural ability with a bow and arrow. So, the Robin Hood that we know today is definitely a hero. He is the defender of the weak who must work outside of the law, because it is a corrupt and broken system. But how does our Robin Hood line up with the original?

Robin shoots with Sir Guy, by Louis Rhead- source: Wikipedia

From my readings, he does not appear to be all that heroic. He appears to be out in Sherwood forest just looking for a good time. He is constantly picking fights, and nowhere do we get the idea that he is a champion of the common people. He is still an extremely interesting and entertaining character, but I don't know if I would go so far as to describe him as heroic. All in all, I prefer the Disney version of Robin Hood to these ballads.

Week 12: Storytelling- How Robin Hood Met Little John

One cool spring night, Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men at around the fire. As the men waited for their venison to roast, they began to grow restless. Amidst the crackle of the fire came calls from the hungry men.

"Come, Robin, tell us a story," called one.

Another, growing impatient, said, "Ah Robin, if you don't tell us a story to distract me, or if this venison isn't done soon, I'll have to eat Little John to satisfy my appetite." To which the crowd gave a hearty laugh.

"Tell us again of how you came to know Little John," yelled one of the older members of the group.

"If you say so, my friends" answered Robin. "I do suppose it is quite an amusing story. Don't you think, Little John?"

"Why yes, sir, I remember it being pretty enjoyable, at least from my side of things. Would you like to tell the lads, or shall I?"

"You would do it a disservice, my friend. Your talents are better suited to fighting than storytelling. So, where to begin? This was very early in my time and Sherwood forest, and I had only a few men in my company. One day, I grew bored, having not had a proper fight in over a fortnight. So, I told my men to wait in a grove, while I went in search of some stranger to test my strength. I had not gone far when I happened upon a man, guarding a narrow bridge. Well to call it a bridge would be to call Little John the king. It wasn't anything more than a log across a stream. Of course, it was Little John guarding the bridge, and naturally, he wouldn't let me freely pass. I could have easily killed him with an arrow through the heart, if that had been my goal. A fact that Little John often forgets."

"Only a coward would kill a man from afar," interjected Little John.

"Well seeing as I was not going to kill him in so cowardly a way, as Little John has put it, we decided to fight with quarter-staffs on that log pretending to be a bridge. And a good fight it was. Each gave as good as he got. Ah, but my friends, I am ashamed to admit that after some time, our Little John knocked be into the water below."

"A right big splash you made too, Robin," said Little John, struggling to conceal his laughter.

"Yes, Little John. On that day you beat me, fair and square. Well, after I'd pulled myself from the cold water, I called on my horn for my men. They were eager to repay Little John for what he had done, but I would not have it. I, having an eye for men of certain talents, thought Little John would fit in nicely with our band of outlaws.  Ever since that day, Little John has been one of my most loyal and trusted friends, and he is still quite handy in a fight."

"Enough of the sensitive stuff, Robin, you're going to make me cry," laughed Little John. "Anyways, dinner is ready, and hearing about how I beat your ass has given me quite an appetite."

"Don't go and get boastful now, Little John. Or I'll have to humble you! Go on everyone, get your fill!"

"Robin Hood and Little John" by Louis Rhead, source: Wikipedia

Author's Note--

This is the story of how Robin Hood met Little John. I kept the details of the story almost identical to the original. However, I wanted the story to be told from Robin's perspective, since he lost. I also wanted Little John to make fun of him for losing, because Robin is pretty sure of himself. I just wanted to convey how two men could become such good friends after a fight. I hope you all like  it!

Bibliography--

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child (1882-1898).

Week 12: Reading Diary- Ballads of Robin Hood

These are my thoughts on the Ballads of Robin Hood...

Progress to Nottingham:

I like these ballads. They have a sing-song vibe that makes them really enjoyable to read. It took me a little while to get used to it, but after getting the hang of it, I like it a lot. This Robin Hood is kind of a cold-blooded killer. He kills fifteen men, just because they failed to pay up on a bet. Seems pretty brutal to me.

Little John:

This is such a great way to become friends haha! In my experience, guys are certainly capable of becoming close friends after a fight. I would guess that, especially in that time period, fighting creates a certain level of respect between two men that might spark a close friendship. This is also a great story for my storytelling.

The Butcher:

Robin is a lovable rogue. He certainly enjoys himself at other peoples' expense. I wonder how most of the people of his time would have viewed him? Do they see him as the hero we do? Or is he just a harmless trickster? Hopefully, we will find out.

The Ranger:

I'm beginning to see a sign of Robin Hood gaining followers through combat. He earns a man's respect in a fight, and then the man joins Robin's band of outlaws. It also seems like deserting society has a certain appeal in Robin's time, and I think it still does today.

The Bold Pedlar:

Again, it seems that Robin Hood does not meet anyone without fighting them first. It seems like a fitting initiation into his boy's club. It also seems like no one ever actually wins these encounters. They end in a draw and eventually a meal.

The Shepherd:

I think I finally understand why Robin Hood is always so eager to fight anyone he comes across. He must be super bored, living in the woods all alone. I'm sure that he didn't get to see other people too often, so any time he saw one, he would be eager to test himself against. It also seems like he always loses, even to a lowly shepherd.

Robin Hood's Delight:

Well this time it was a three on three fight. Robin, Little John, and a new character, Will Scarlock, fight three of the kings men. The trend continues, and they fight to more or less a draw, and then go on and become friends. When is Robin going to become the hero that we expect him to be?

The Pedlars:

I think that these stories would be even more entertaining if we heard them sung as they would have been in the proper time period. These things are pretty much the television of that day and age. It would be a real treat to get to hear them now and again.

Allen a Dale:

This is Robin Hood, the matchmaker haha. This is also the first time that we have had any mention of a woman in the stories so far. I bet Robin and his band of outlaws would be incredibly eager to doing anything that would involve a woman. Living in the forest with all men would probably get pretty lonely after awhile haha.

Rescuing Three Squires:

Robin Hood is finally beginning to look more like the hero that we would expect him to be. In the last two stories, he has reunited a couple and saved three squires. He is beginning to enact the justice outside the law that we have come to love about him. Everyone loves a vigilante. He's the medieval Batman haha!