Robin Hood in Popular Culture - Essay Example

Introduction Robin Hood is a famous character known for taking care of the poor. He used to steal from the rich and give to the poor. He was helped by his fellows who were known as the Merry Men. Robin Hood love to wear Lincoln green clothes. Since Medieval times, there are many different stories about Robin Hood and these stories still continue to live in our modern literature. We came to know him from the earliest sources which depict Robin Hood as a commoner. Much later he is portrayed as an aristocrat, who is dispossessed of his properties and who later becomes an outlaw. Robin Hood's Birth In the different tales there are many discrepancies about the birth of Robin Hood. One of the manuscripts says that Robin Hood was born in 1155. Another manuscript dates his birth in 1220; another one states that he was born between 1280 and 1290 and that he was a part of a rebellion movement against Edward II in 1320. In addition, there is a lot of confusion over the birth place of Robin Hood. The ballads states that he was born in Locksly, Nottinghashire. They also suggest that Robin Hood was the son of William Fitzooth, who was the owner of the land of Loxley. (Vahimagi 30-33) Popular Culture In the popular culture Robin Hood is portrayed as living in Nottinghamshire. Many of the early ballads took place in Nottinghamshire, and they showed Robin Hood and his men fighting in the forest of Sherwood. Some of the early references suggest that Robin Hood may have origins from the land of Barnsland which is now known as the South Yorkshire. (Potter 17) There are many different sources which tell us about different locations referring to be Robin Hood's true home. A tradition belonging to the sixteenth century suggests Loxley as a birth place of Robin Hood. There is a well in Yorkshire known as the Robin Hood's well which is associated with him as early as 1400. His grave is located in the West Yorkshire with a headstone of doubtful authenticity. (Potter 19-20) We find the first references to the rhymes of Robin Hood from a poem written in 14th century by Piers Plowman. From the earliest surviving copies of the ballads it is very clear that Robin Hood had special regards for women. He had remarkable skills as an archer and had anti-clerical beliefs. He had a very hostile attitude towards the sheriff of Nottingham, too. (Blamires 28) In popular culture Robin Hood is seen as the supporter of King Richard the Lionheart who was a king in the 12th century. Robin Hood became an outlaw because of the misrule of the king's brother John. One of the oldest ballads known as the Robin Hood and the Monk tells us that Robin Hood had a very little support as a partisan of the king. (Blamires 50-56) The early ballads also provide us with clear picture about Robin Hood's social status. He is named as a yeoman, the meaning of this word have changed over the time from aristocrat to free retainer and landholder. But this word was generally referred to the commoners. In the sixteenth century many attempts were made particularly through two famous plays known as Earl of Huntingdon and Anthony Munday to give Robin Hood noble status. The legend of Robin Hood was also transmitted into Robin Hood games and important plays which were presented in the May Day festivities in the late medieval and early modern times. We find the first record of Robin Hood games in Exeter in 1425. (Hahn 17) But no one was certain about how old this tradition was at that time. In the late fifteenth and sixteenth centuries Robin Hood games have flourished. Thorough May games, Maid Marian and a jolly friar connected with the legend. The ballads associated with Robin Hood connect him with recognizable places and there are many people in the world who believe and who are convinced that Robin Hood was a real hero and a real person. There are different theories to indentify the real Robin Hood and for each theory there are numerous supporters. According to some theories Robin Hood was his real name. Other theories suggest that Robin Hood is a nick name given to a criminal person of medieval times to disguise him. Some believe that Robin Hood is a fictional character and had never been a real person (Doel 70-72). It is possible that the character of Robin Hood is created by the ballad muse and this view is supported by many people. There is another view about Robin Hood which states that his origin must be sought in mythology. One scholar supposed that Robin Hood might have been a member of a pagan witch religion which existed in the medieval Europe. The Early References and Sources When we search for historical records we don't have any historical references to Robin Hood. Even the ballads are not clear. From 1225 and onwards the name of Robin Hood appeared in many different English justices. Most of the references are from the late thirteenth century and between 1260 and 1301 we find at least 10 references to Robin Hood across England. References are found in Berkshire and in York (Green 13). The term Robin Hood seemed to be given to an outlaw and in the early stage, this word was used for a criminal. In records we find the usage of this word throughout the medieval times. In 1440 there was a petition presented to parliament in which the name is used for a felon (Green 22). There is a very little scholar support available for the point of view which states that Robin Hood's legend stems from folklore such as the Robin good fellow. When Robin Hood is associated with mythology this seems to have developed over a much later period. Maurice was the one who provided a useful summary about Robin Hood mythological origin. But the theory was finally dismissed. Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men were known for their excellent skills in sword play and archery (Rutherford-Moore 19-21). The traditional role played by Robin Hood in the May Day games pointed that he had connections with pagans but it was known in the early fifteenth century. But there is one thing which is not controversial. It is that Robin Hood and Marion appeared in the thirteenth century pastourelles of France and also appeared in the French festivities particularly the May Day festivities (Rutherford-Moore 32-35). Robin Hood was tempted by many knights to join their orders, which was one of the varieties of rustic pastimes. Phillips (2003) in his survey of Robin Hood rejected the mythological origin but considered it to be probable and believed that this name entered the May games of England and fused with Robin Hood. Some of the theorists also believe that the origin of Robin Hood legend came from the real outlaws or perhaps from the stories of outlaws like Eustace the Monk and William Wallace. In the early ballad Hereward Robin Hood appeared as potter and this is one of the oldest ballads which shows to it is a reliable source. The ballad of Adam Bell is similar to the ballad of Robin Hood and the Monk. But it is not clear whether the two ballads used one and the same source. Both ballads discuss stories of different outlaws. Many of Robin Hood's stories are unique in their own ways, such as the story of a knight to whom Robin Hood gave money to pay off his debt to an abbot (Coghlan 30). There are many theories that try to figure out the historical role of Robin Hood. The problem with this research is that the name Robin was a very common given name in the thirteen century England. The surname Hode or Hood was use to refer to the one who cover head, this was also very common at that time (Phillips 101). So there were many people who were called Robin Hood or the Robert Hood according to the medieval records. We get many historical clues and detail from ballads but these ballads are not considered to be reliable piece of evidence. Early sources claim that the word "hood" came from the word "wood" and the name of the bandit was first given as Robin Wood. From sixteenth and seventeenth century we find many references to Robin Hood as Robin Wood. The earliest example of this sort of record is found in the May games in 1520 (Dixon 64). The twentieth century provided us with many variations and interpretations of Robin Hood's legend. For example, "The Adventures of Robin Hood" was a film released in 1938 in which Robin Hood is portrayed as a national hero and the King Lionheart is shown as fighting in the crusades. In 1973 another film about Robin Hood was released with the title of Robin Hood. Conclusion Robin Hood is a character whose good intentions and scandalous means are the topic of controversial debates. He was a good- hearted person who was generous and kind to the poor. He stole from the rich and gave to the poor, however many believe that his good intentions should not justify the stealing. The notion Robin Hood is also used to refer to someone who takes goods and give them away to other people in need. In this regard this is called Robin Hood giving. In some countries there are laws which are called robin hood laws in which a government takes money from a wealthy area and then redistribute it to the one who are in need. Whether a real person or a legend the deeds of Robin Hood will always be alive and admired. Works Cited: Blamires, David. Robin Hood: A Hero for All Times. J. Rylands Univ. Lib. of Manchester. 1998. Coghlan, Ronan. The Robin Hood Companion. Xiphos Books. 2003. Dixon-Kennedy, Mike. The Robin Hood Handbook. Sutton Publishing. 2006. Doel, Fran and Doel, Geoff. Robin Hood: Outlaw and Greenwood Myth. Tempus Publishing. 2000. Green, Barbara. Secrets of the Grave. Palmyra Press. 2001. Hahn, Thomas. Robin Hood in Popular Culture: Violence, Transgression and Justice. D.S. Brewer. 2000. Phillips, Helen. Robin Hood: Medieval and Post-medieval. Cornell University Press. 2003 Potter, Lewis. Playing Robin Hood: The Legend as Performance in Five Centuries. University of Delaware Press. 1998. Rutherford-Moore, Richard. Robin Hood: On the Outlaw Trail. Capall Bann Publishing. 2002. Vahimagi, Tise. British Television: An Illustrated Guide. Oxford University Press. 1994. Outline/ source cards: 1. Robin Hood - Famous character taking care of the poor, stealing from the rich. 2. Many discrepancies about his date of birth; confusions about the birth place as well. 3. Robin Hood took part of a rebellion movement against Edward II in 1320. 4. Some sources say that Robin Hood was supported of King Richard the LionHeart, who lived in 12th century. 5. First reference in 14th century ballad by Piers Plowman; excellent archer, anti-clerical beliefs, hostile attitude towards the sheriff of Nottingham. 6. 16th century plays attempt to describe Robin Hood as hero with noble status, not as an outlaw. 7. There are different theories whether Robin Hood is his real name or just a disguise. 8. Some of Robin Hood's origins can be sought in mythology; another popular view is that he was a member of pagan witch religious society that existed in Medieval Europe. 9. Many games linked to Robin Hood legend were played during May Day holidays. 10. There are almost no historical evidence and reference for Robin Hood. 11. Various connotations were put into the term "Robin Hood". It was used as a synonym to criminal and even felon. 12. Little support for the opinion that the origin of Robin Hood's legend stems from folklore; the association of Robin Hood as mythological character is developed much later. 13. During the 15th century the way that May Day games were played indicate that Robin Hood is connected with pagan religious traditions. 14. An interesting fact is that Robin Hood appeared in French celebrations of May Day as early as 13th century. 15. Robin Hood appears as potter in Hereward ballad, which is one of the oldest known ballads commemorating Robin Hood and is a reliable source. 16. Problems identifying Robin Hood; In 13th century England Robin was a very common first name. "hood" or "hode" referred to anyone whose head was covered, which was also typical for the time. 17. According to Medieval records many people were named Robin or Robert Hood. 18. Early sources claim that the origin of the word "hood" comes from "wood", thus in some references from 16th and 17th century Robin Hood was called "Wood". 19. 20th century gave additional variations and interpretations of Robin Hood's legend - The Adventures of Robin Hood" film was made in 1938 and another one in 1973. 20. Kind-hearted hero, generous and kind to the poor, however he used scandalous means to achieve his goal which outlawed him at that time. Whether a real person or a legend the deeds of Robin Hood will always be alive and admired. Read More