"Many men speak of Robin Hood who never drew his bow: so runs the old proverb, suggesting
both the popularity and the mystery of the Robin Hood tradition. A modern equivalent might be:
Many people know about Robin Hood but have never read the texts." (Knight 1997, xiii)
This quotation is a very good evaluation of the status of knowledge considering
the Robin Hood related texts. Most people only know Robin Hood from various film
adaptations. They are not aware of the fact that the Robin Hood legend has now
endured in written form for over 600 years.
When speaking of Robin Hood we think of attributes like "outlaws", "rob the rich
to feed the poor", "Maid Marian", "arrow and bow" or "noble man" as the common
features of the Robin Hood myth. In fact, only few of these stereotypes are a part of
the early written tradition as it will be illustrated in the following.
[...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Robin Hood Myth
3. First written evidence and early ballads: 14th – 17th century
4. Performances of many kinds celebrating Robin Hood: 15th – 18th century
5. Popular Narratives and Film: 20th century
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the evolution of the Robin Hood legend, exploring how the character and his associated myths have been adapted and transformed from early medieval ballads to modern film and popular narratives. The study aims to distinguish between historical literary traditions and the stereotypes often associated with the figure today.
- The medieval origins of the Robin Hood legend through early ballads.
- The transformation of Robin Hood’s character and moral role over several centuries.
- The influence of the "May Games" and 17th-century "Garlands" on the myth’s development.
- The continuity and adaptation of the Robin Hood archetype in 20th-century popular media.
Excerpt from the Book
3. First written evidence and early ballads: 14th – 17th century
Robin Hood was first mentioned in William Langland's Piers Plowman in 1377. In the B text Sloth refers to the popularity of the "rhymes of Robyn Hode" in saying: " I Kan noght parfitly my Paternoster as the Priest it syngeth, But I kan rymes of Robyn hood and Randolf Erl of Chestre. " Therefore, we could assume that the origin of the Robin Hood legend must be in the 12th/13th century. It goes without saying, that this is a fact about which researchers are still arguing.
During the 15th century the character Robin Hood is presented in several chronicles, so for instance in Andrew of Wyntoun's Orygynale Chronicle of 1420 or in Walter Bower's Continuation of John of Fordun's Scotichronicon, which is a history of Scotland and England. The book contains this passage about the year 1296: "Then arose the famous murderer, Robert Hood, as well as Little John, together with their accomplices from among the dispossessed, whom the foolish populace are so inordinately fond of celebrating both in tragedy and comedy." (Holt 40).
But nearly everything we know about the medieval Robin Hood, can be traced back on five ballads and one dramatic fragment. Despite the common knowledge, Robin Hood was not the outlawed noble, who took from the rich to feed the poor within those first ballads. Instead of this, he often appeared as the bloody thief who fought with cruel and greedy bishops or priests. In addition, there was also no fixed enemy, as it was the case within the later texts, concerning the Sheriff of Nottingham. Lady Marion and Friar Tuck are also both parts of the later tradition.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the contrast between the popular modern image of Robin Hood and the scarcity of early historical textual evidence.
2. The Robin Hood Myth: Analyzes the potential historical origins of the name Robin Hood and how the legend likely evolved through a process of identification with various outlaws.
3. First written evidence and early ballads: 14th – 17th century: Examines the earliest literary mentions and ballads, noting how the original character differed significantly from the modern "hero" trope.
4. Performances of many kinds celebrating Robin Hood: 15th – 18th century: Discusses the integration of Robin Hood into the "May Games" and the impact of broadside ballads ("Garlands") on the legend's diffusion.
5. Popular Narratives and Film: 20th century: Explores the standardization of the Robin Hood story in modern media to meet audience expectations and established stereotypes.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the fluidity of the Robin Hood figure, characterizing him as a cultural "mask" that changes to fit the needs of each generation.
7. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources used to trace the evolution of the Robin Hood legend.
Keywords
Robin Hood, Medievalism, Ballads, Folklore, Popular Culture, Outlaw, Legend, May Games, Garlands, Literature, Film Adaptation, Myth, Cultural History, Narrative Evolution, British Tradition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
This work explores the historical development and cultural transformation of the Robin Hood legend, from its origins in early medieval ballads to its contemporary status in popular media.
What are the primary themes discussed in the paper?
The main themes include the evolution of the Robin Hood archetype, the distinction between historical accounts and myth, the impact of oral and printed tradition, and the adaptation of the character for various socio-cultural purposes.
What is the primary research goal of the study?
The goal is to provide a critical analysis of the Robin Hood tradition to show how the character’s perceived traits—often taken for granted today—actually developed over several centuries.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The author uses a historical-literary approach, analyzing primary sources such as early ballads, chronicles, and legal records alongside modern film and literature analysis.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body traces the transition from 14th-century medieval ballads to 20th-century media, focusing on specific developments like the May Games and broadside ballads.
Which keywords best describe this publication?
Key terms include Robin Hood, Medievalism, Ballads, Myth, Popular Culture, and Narrative Evolution.
Does the original Robin Hood fight for the poor?
The analysis suggests that the notion of Robin Hood "robbing the rich to feed the poor" is not a central component of the earliest ballads, but a much later addition to the legend.
How is the figure of Maid Marian integrated into the myth?
According to the research, Maid Marian was not part of the early medieval Robin Hood tradition and was only incorporated into the narrative much later through the May Games.
What is the significance of the 17th-century "Garlands"?
The "Garlands" were mass-produced, cheap publications that played a major role in popularizing and standardizing the Robin Hood myth for a wider audience.
- Quote paper
- Julia Paternoster (Author), 2003, Robin Hood – Heritage and forms through the ages , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/117614
