Folklore: Robin Hood

This year for Halloween I've decided to whip together a Robin Hood costume. It's an easy and inexpensive costume, something I've never done before, and also someone I can relate with. Robin Hood has always been portrayed as a heroic outlaw who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Although his methods are criminal, his ideals are very humanitarian. In this post I want to do a little bit of study on the historical, political, and cultural significance of this classic English folktale.

The Folktale

There are many interpretations and variations of the folktale. The story that I'm most familiar with is the 1973 Disney animation I watched as a kid. The setting is in the town of Nottingham where Robin Hood, Little John, and his merry-men begin their campaign against an unfair tax placed by Prince John, heir to the throne and brother of King Richard the Lion Heart who is off fighting the crusades. Although this is only one variation of the story, the general setting and characters of the tale seem to remain the same. 

Robin Hood is generally portrayed as a forest-dwelling outlaw, a nimble person, dressed in green and equipped with a bow and arrow. He is also accompanied by his band of outlaws, the "Merry Men" who steal from trade routes in the Sherwood Forest. The group consists of commoners and townsfolk, who are merely taking action on what they deem an unfair standard of living. Whether it's heroic or criminal is always up for debate. 

Little John is Robin Hood's right hand man and best friend. He's usually depicted as a very large brute man and uses a giant club or staff as his weapon of choice.

Sheriff of Nottingham is normally the main villain in the folktale, enforcer of the law, and arch-enemy of Robin Hood and his band out of outlaws. He is sometimes associated as working for Prince John, and enforcer of his cruel taxes.

Maid Marion is the love interest of Robin Hood, often depicted as a pure and innocent townswoman and a shepherdess. In some portrayals she is very courageous and even joins Robin Hood's band of outlaws.  

Friar Tuck is another companion of Robin Hood, normally depicted as a jovial minister. His character serves as the religious voice of reason. He supports Robin Hood's rebellious campaign as an act of stewardship and welfare. 

Historical References

The actual identity of Robin Hood is unknown and their's no factual description that this person did exist. However one thing is certain that the story arose from England legend, during the medieval times between the 12th and 13th century. It's very likely that Robin Hood wasn't so much a specific person, rather a group of people who were opposed to harsh taxes. Consider that this was during the crusades, most notably the third crusade where extra funds were needed to finance the military campaign of King Richard the Lionheart. It seems very plausible that these harsh impositions would lead to some dissension among the common folk. 

It's also likely than these outlaws were opponents of the unpopular King John Lackland, the brother of King Richard the Lionheart. Although John was always a likely heir to the throne, he was not appointed as regent while Richard was away for the third crusade. This infuriated John and led many to believe that Richard would not appoint him as his successor. During Richard's time away John led an unsuccessful rebellion against Richard's appointed royal stewards. 

Nonetheless after the failed rebellion, John still was able to ascend to the throne, after the death of King Richard in 1199. His 15 year reign was an aggressive overhaul of the people to only strength the monarch's power. As a result of this John had many opponents due to his harsh laws, his disputed claim to the throne, and his diplomatic tension with France. After 15 years of failed leadership, he was disposed of during the First Baron's War. His tyrannical leadership resulted in the signing of the Magna Carta, which limited the kings power and was an early precursor to the Parliament government. With this in mind it is clear to see why King John would be represented as a villain, and Robin Hood as a hero of the people. 

Literature

The first mentions of Robin Hood as a character came in various narrative poems such as Willian Langland's Piers Plowman (1370) where a priest gives praise to a character known as Robyn Hood. By the mid 1400s the tale of Robin Hood became familiar among English townsfolk. And the term Robin Hood was often used by the government to brand mischievous wrong-doers. He soon became a central character any many fictious poems and works of literature. 

The earliest surviving text came in 1450, in the ballad known as "Robin Hood and the Monk". Then came "A Gest of Robyn Hode (1475)" and "Robin Hood and the Potter (1503)" all of which were different variations of the same character. By the mid 1500s the folklore character and tradition of Robin Hood was celebrated at springtime May Day celebrations and fairs among townspeople. Even the great Shakespear made mention of this heroic character in his play "The Two Gentlemen of Verona". The concept was thus forever embedded in English culture. 

Political Significance

Although it is only a fictional folk tale, this story incites a heated debate with political significance. There's no question about it Robin Hood and his gang of merry-men are criminals. Even if their intentions are for the better good, the fact remains that they are breaking the law.  It's a similar argument that relates to vigilantism, where heroic figures like Batman take the law upon themselves to fight for justice. Fictional legends such as Batman and Robin Hood are well aware they are breaking the law, however they are doing it for a greater good of humanity and that's what makes them so poetically heroic in my opinion. It truly depends on the circumstances and the individual to decide for themselves whether this is right or wrong.

In the case of Robin Hood, there are especially political themes of economics and particularly redistribution. Robin Hood is no doubt of lower-class, and a man of the people who feels the only way justice can come about is through outlaw. Although this is only a story, the ideal within it of taking from the wealthy to give to the poor resonates with left and right economics and the basis of wealth redistribution. The left generally feels that regulation is needed to better balance income among the classes, while the right feels it should take care of itself. Once again it is open for debate, however the biggest take away the story of Robin Hood is not so much his thievery, yet rather his care for his brother. It is my opinion the government should hold the same ideals. 

Cultural Impact

The story of Robin Hood has become a worldwide phenomena, and a household tale. It's the simplicity theme that resonates with most people, of a heroic outlaw stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Politics aside it is the stuff of romantic story-telling and for that reason it has survived a great test of time. With the introduction of movies and television, that story has been adapted and re-adapated time and time again for children and adults alike. In 1908 the first ever story of Robin Hood was introduced to the screen. Here is a list of the other very notable films and series that have followed.

• 1922: Robin Hood (Very popular silent film with Douglas Fairbanks)
• 1938: The Adventures of Robin Hood (Errol Flynn's most acclaimed role)
• 1955-1959: The Adventures of Robin Hood (Popular British TV Series)
• 1973: Walt Disney's Robin Hood (The most famous animated version)
• 1991: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Modern day adventure film starring Kevin Costner)
• 1993: Robin Hood: Men in Tights (Popular comedy version of the story)
• 2006-2009: Robin Hood (BBC TV Series)
• 2010: Robin Hood (Epic adventure film starring Russell Crowe, directed by Ridley Scott)