Paper
Hero or Criminal?
Many people consider Robin Hood a hero. He was definitely a hero to the peasants of Nottingham. After all he stole from the rich and gave to the poor. If I were poor he would have been my hero, too. But to the rich people of Nottingham he was nothing more than a criminal. I’m sure I wouldn’t think too highly of someone that stole my money. What Robin Hood never took into consideration was that even though the outcome was good the course of action he took wasn’t right. So was he a hero or a criminal? Some people consider him a kind hearted hero. Others think of him as a cold hearted criminal. So which is it? It all depends on your perspective.
The legend of Robin Hood is one of the most famous legends around. “He is the subject of nearly forty English and Scottish ballads and numerous tales, plays, and films” (Wilhelm “Robin Hood”). But a legend isn’t always a fact. “Practically all that is known of the medieval legend of Robin Hood is derived from five surviving poems or ballads and a fragment of a play” (Holt 15). “The first literary reference to Robin Hood is in 1377. Much of the social background in the early ballads resembles the 14th century. But there are some reasons to believe that the Robin Hood legend was alive and well in the 13th century too. Hence, some historians like J. C. Holt prefer an earlier real Robin Hood” (Robin Hood-The Search for the Real Robin Hood 9). No one knows for sure if Robin Hood is even a real character. “According to one traditional story, Robin Hood was actually the Earl of Huntingdon, and his real name was Robert Fitzooth. But many scholars believe Robin Hood is completely fictitious.”(”Robin Hood” 346).
Roger Dodsworth, one of the greatest figures of the antiquarian movement of the seventeenth century, noted:
Robert Locksley, born in Bradfield parish, in Hallamshire [S. Yorkshire], wounded his stepfather to death at plough: fled into the woods, and was relieved by his mother till he was discovered. Then he came to Clifton upon Calder, and came acquainted with Little John, that kept the kine, which said John is buried at Hathershed in Derbyshire, where he hath a fair tombstone with an inscription. Mr. Long saith that Fabyan saith, Little John was an Earl Huntingdon . After he joined with Much, the Miller’s son. (Holt 44)
There are also some other people that could have inspired the Robin Hood legend.
Perhaps the earliest outlaw Robin Hood is Robert Hood, servant of the Abbot of Cirencester. Sometime between 1213 and 1216, he murdered a man named Ralph in the abbot’s garden. Most Robin Hood legends stories do give the legendary outlaw a grudge against the church. But J.C. Holt dismisses this one as being too far from Robin’s usual setting. (Robin Hood-The Search for the Real Robin Hood 9)
There is also evidence to support the legend. A tombstone has been found with the following inscription:
Here underneath this little stone
Lies Robert, Earl of Huntington.
Ne’er archer was as he so good
And people called him Robin Hood.
Such outlaws as he and his men
Will England never see again. (Lapman v)
This leads some people to believe that Robin Hood is based on a real person. Real or fictitious it is still a legend.
Robin Hood first got the label of an outlaw with a simple bet. He bet one of the king’s men twenty marks that he could hit one of the deer at the end of the field. Sure enough he did. But the man refused to pay his bet and threatened Robin for killing one of the king’s deer. While Robin was leaving, one of the men shot at him with an arrow. In pure rage he turned around and hit him with an arrow right in the heart killing him. Thus becoming a murderer (Lapman 3). This is also when the rivalry between Robin and the sheriff started. He pledged that he would bring Robin Hood to justice. Thus the legend begins.
In the time after the murder Robin hid in his home deep in Sherwood Forest.
So, in all that year over a hundred good strong men had gathered about Robin Hood and later had chosen him to be their leader and chief. Then they swore that even as they themselves had been ruined, they would ruin those who oppressed them whether baron, knight, or squire, and from each they would take that which had been robbed from the poor by unjust taxes, high land rents, or wrongful fines. (Lapman, p. 7)
This is were he became known as a hero.
Some of the most well known in Robin Hood’s “merry band of followers”(World Book Encyclopedia, p. 345) were Little John, Friar Tuck and Maid Marian. Little John was over seven feet tall. He was known for his excellent skill with the bow. He was Robin’s right hand man. Friar Tuck was a fat, jolly priest. And Maid Marian was Robin Hood’s lover.
It was with these people that Robin committed his good deeds and his crimes.
As time went the Sheriff became the laughing stock of Nottingham. The people of the town began to make jokes about him and his inability to capture the outlaw Robin Hood. Finally he came up with a plan. He arranged a shoot out challenge for everyone around the town. To the Sheriff’s dismay Robin Hood did not show his face at the contest and a stranger named Gilbert won. Later that night the disappointed Sheriff received a letter that read:
Now Heaven bless thy grace this day,
Say all in sweet Sherwood,
For thou dids’t give the prize away
To merry Robin Hood. (Lapman 31-43)
Not only was the sheriff astounded he was saddened . He finally realized he could not catch the outlaw Robin Hood.
This might be Robin Hood’s most famous tale. This truly shows his outlaw side. But it also shows his wit and character. The main reason Robin stole money from the rich was because the unfairness of the Sheriff. He was taking all their money through high taxes. If you think about it that is the same thing Robin was doing. Just because what Robin Hood was doing was for a good cause doesn’t make it right. Sometimes the end result just is not justified by the means that it took to get there. If I robbed a bank but gave the money to a charity would this make me an honorable person. Even though Robin Hood saved many poor people’s lives by giving them money to survive on it was still wrong to steal the money of the rich people. This puts Robin Hood on the same level as the sheriff and as any other criminal of his time. Just because he was a hero doesn’t make
33d
Другие работы по теме:
Napolean Essay Research Paper The qualities of
Napolean Essay, Research Paper The qualities of a Romantic hero are clearly displayed through the ambitions and actions of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon’s triumphs and ideas for France’s future truly made him a Romantic hero.
Queen Of The Sixth Grade Essay Research
Paper Title- Queen of the Sixth Grade Author- Ilene Cooper The major character in the story I read was a girl named Robin. Robin is confident, sweet, caring, a good
Epic Hero Essay Essay Research Paper In
Epic Hero Essay Essay, Research Paper In the movie The Matrix , there is a character by the name of Neo. Neo is pulled from the world he knows and is trust into the real one. After being shown what the matrix is, he goes on a quest to find truth and meaning in a world of lies and corruption. Neo is an epic hero because he has been chosen to fight an evil force and because he is brave.
The Hero
’s Journey Essay, Research Paper There are eight steps a person must take to become a hero, most noticably an epic hero, in Greek Mythology. These eight steps are the call, the threshold, the challenges, the abyss, the transformation, the revelation, the atonement, and the return.
Becoming A Heroic Person Essay Research Paper
BECOMING A HEROIC FIGURE Heroes have to consist of many things. They have to be brave, have good morals, and help out society in some way. These are only a few standards of becoming a hero. Someone can be a hero to someone else and not even know it. Not only can the big people be heroes, but the small ones as well. No matter what size or character one is he/she can become a hero.
Antigone The Hero Essay Research Paper Antigone
Antigone The Hero Essay, Research Paper Antigone the Hero Antingone is the heroine of western drama, and the play bears her name rather than Creon?s. I believe this statement to be true. Not only because Antigone is the Heroine, but because the story also revolves around her. If not for the conflict of disobeying her uncle, the story wouldn’t have a pourpose.
The Hero Essay Research Paper The hero
The Hero Essay, Research Paper The hero is something more than out conscious ideal. He is also our sometimes conscious, sometimes unconscious dream. He represents not only what we value in the external world, the world beyonf ourselves, but what we value in ourselves, in that inner world of our minds or psyches.
The Culture Of Stevenson
’s Time Essay, Research Paper Echoly Vue April 12,1999 CP English IV Ms. Wade The Culture of Stevenson s Time The novel The Black Arrow, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, reflects the culture that was around in Robert Louis Stevenson s time. The legend of Robin Hood was very popular during Stevenson s time, with classic elements of good versus evil and the protagonist being the underdog. “Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the world s most popular and most versatile of writers (RLS 1).” Stevenson wrote many extraordinary novels. “In fact Henry James, a well known American novelist, once praised Stevenson as the only man in England who can write a decent English sentence (RLS 2).” This statement gives proof that Stevenson was well loved in his time. “He loved the open air, the sea, adventure, and he loved to read (RLS 3).” His love for adventure and reading may have made him more
Heroes Essay Research Paper Many of our
Heroes Essay, Research Paper Many of our heroes today are characterized by their tremendous strength, or their romantic appeal, but I believe that a hero should not be characterzed by these qualities, but rather what they d with them. What we do with our qualities is what makes the difference between a hero and an ordinary person.
Gatsby Essay Essay Research Paper Gatsby EssayWho
Gatsby Essay Essay, Research Paper Gatsby Essay Who is the real hero of the novel Nick or Gatsby ? discuss In the novel the great Gatsby we can look at two people as the heros, but they are both heros in a different manner . Nick could be seen as a hero because of the way he struggled to help Gatsby realize his dream and the other hero is Gatsby himself who we can see as a hero because of the way he took the blame for the woman he loved and she didn t even acknowledge him after his death .
The Awakening
– Robin Williams Essay, Research Paper Throughout the movie The Awakening, Robin Williams demonstrates his knowledge of the scientific method. The scientific method is a procedure of steps that is used to
MacbethTragic Hero Essay Research Paper MacbethTragic HeroAs
Macbeth-Tragic Hero Essay, Research Paper Macbeth-Tragic Hero As I finished reading Macbeth by William Shakespeare I realized the true reason that Macbeth is considered a tragic hero. Like all other tragic hero?s he had many good things going for him in his life before he messes with self- destructing things and threw it all away.
Criminal Justice Essay Research Paper In this
Criminal Justice Essay, Research Paper In this paper I will attempt to explain how the United States Criminal Justice System and Ireland has some different characteristics. They both share some of the same practices in each system. I will give a brief history of both countries and the way their system works.
Stars Essay Research Paper Bright Star Would
Stars Essay, Research Paper Bright Star, Would I were Steadfast as Thou Art Endymion (excerpts) The Eve of St. Agnes Fancy The Human Seasons Hyperion If by Dull Rhymes our English must be Chain’d
Beowulf Epic Hero Essay Research Paper What
Beowulf, Epic Hero Essay, Research Paper What Makes an Epic Hero? In your opinion, what characteristics makes an epic hero in a story? Is it someone who can defeat many enemies? Or is it someone of great nobility? In the poem Beowulf, Beowulf is the obvious hero in this story. What makes him so great is his fear nothing attitude, as well as his nobility and leadership.
Robin Hood Summary Essay Research Paper Robin
Robin Hood Summary Essay, Research Paper Robin Hood’s good traits are easily seen throughout the story. The author did a good job of making his hero come across as a good person, who has often been misinterpreted because of things that he did as a young boy. Showing the change Robin Hood has made since he was a little boy easily allows the reader to better understand how great he really is, and how he is helping not only himself, but all of the poorer community.
My Hero Essay Research Paper We hear
My Hero Essay, Research Paper We hear the word hero all of the time. The news media throws the term around as if it is an everyday word. What exactly is a hero? Who, or what, can be classified as a heroic? The correct definition of the word hero is: One invested with heroic qualities in the opinions of others. That is a fine definition for books and intellectual minds.
Allen A Dale Essay Research Paper Why
Allen A Dale Essay, Research Paper Why do individuals pass down stories orally instead of by writing? Before the time period that writing even existed, individuals had no choice, but to express themselves orally. During this time, they passed down these stories from generation to generation, but there may have been some minor changes because of the misinterpretation of the readers of the stores.
Greece Heroism Essay Research Paper Greece HeroismIn
Greece: Heroism Essay, Research Paper Greece: Heroism In ancient Greek times heroism was much different than it is now. Today, all you have to do to become a hero most of the time is rich, after you do this the
Criminal Personality Essay Research Paper Criminal PersonalityIn
Criminal Personality Essay, Research Paper Criminal Personality In order to determine what makes a criminal a “criminal,” you must first understand their personality. Behavior is largely a result of the way a person things. A personality is what makes a person. Even though a person might have the look of a criminal, the thought patterns of that person are what make them a criminal.
The Epic Hero Beowulf Thesis Essay Research
Paper The Epic Hero Beowulf An epic is a long narriative peom about the adventures of a legendary or historic hero. The hero is a figure is high social status, one with great strenght or ability, and historical importance. There are many characteristics one must demonstrate ti be considered an epic hero. An epic hero is a brave and courageous warrior, admired for his achievements and courageous qualities.
Who Is A Hero Essay Research Paper
Who Is A Hero? Who is a hero? What are the qualities of a hero? Are there any heroes left? These questions are actually the basis for this essay. Even though most of them can be answered by
Hero Essay Research Paper 12201English
Hero Essay, Research Paper 1/22/01 English Hahn Hero Hero, person admired for bravery, great deeds, or noble qualities. -Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary. These are just three qualities and characteristics of a hero of the many. James Fenimore Cooper s hero is from the wilderness and a hero from the past. It is insinuated in his stories Cooper s hero will be a hero no matter what.
Billy The Kid Review Essay Research Paper
ALIAS Billy the Kid The Man behind the Legend By: Donald Cline He was an American legend known as Henry McCarty, alias William H. Bonney, and alias Billy the Kid. He was called Robin Hood by some, a cold-blooded murder by others. Sometimes he appears as a romantic figure led astray by the circumstances of life that he could not control, sometimes a hero, and sometimes just an insignificant outlaw.
MY HERO Essay Research Paper TO ME
MY HERO Essay, Research Paper TO ME A HERO IS A PERSON WHO HELPS A LIFE. NOT NECESSARILY SAVE IT… BUT AFFECT IT IN A SPECIAL WAY. TO ME THIS PERSON IS MY FATHER.
PARADISE LOST Essay Research Paper THE PURPOSE
PARADISE LOST Essay, Research Paper THE PURPOSE OF CLASSICAL TRAGEDY IS TO AROUSE PITY AND FEAR AND THUS TO PRODUSE IN THE AUDIENCE A CATHARSIS {PROPER PURGATION} OF THESE EMOTIONS THAT HE AS A SPECTATOR OWNS. THE AUDIENCE SENSE OF PITY TOWARDS THE HERO OCCURS BECAUSE THE HERO THROUGH HIS TRAGIC FLAW {HAMARTIA} BECOMES A TRAGIC BUT REMAINS A NOBLE FIGURE.
Accounting Project Essay Research Paper Accounting ProjectBAC
Accounting Project Essay, Research Paper Accounting Project BAC 3AA Profile of an Accounting Department My interview with the accountant of Robin Hood Multifoods Inc. was one of the greatest interviews I have ever experienced. The person whom I interviewed was