“Lythe and listin, gentilmen / That be of frebore blode; I shall you tel of a gode yeman / His name was Robyn Hode” (A Gest of Robyn Hode). The tale of Robin Hood has been told many times in verse, in prose, in play and in film, with the writers, directors and singers offering almost as many versions. In 2010, Ridley Scott presented his take on the tale with the movie “Robin Hood”, starring Russell Crowe in the titular role. Ridley Scott reimagines the tale to be set in the last year of the eleventh century with scenes ranging from France to London to Nottingham. His goal is to tell how the legend of Robin Hood began and thus it tells of his return to England, followed by a rise to fame in battle with the French and culminating with his becoming an outlaw. While the film is entertaining, the historic basis is questionable.
This time around, Robin Hood is introduced to us as Robin Longstride, a yeoman in King Richard the Lionheart’s army. While there is ample evidence of Robin Hood having been in the king’s service, that king was always Edward, which one is not made clear, and there is no indication he was a Crusader (Holt 39-40).
Robin is quickly shown to be an experienced warrior and an honest man. He is so honest in fact, that when asked by King Richard if God will be pleased with his sacrifice, meaning the Crusade, Robin says that God would not be and recounts an incident of the slaughtering women and children and how it made King Richard’s men godless. As one might expect, the king felt those words were naive at best and had Robin, along with his companions, bound in the stocks. At this point we learn Robin is somewhat of a philosopher, believing he owes nothing to no man.
Robin’s fellow prisoners are Little John, Will S...
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...ussell Crowe did not have their hearts in the story. Whatever the cause, viewers seem to have expected Gladiator or Kingdom of Heaven and were left wanting. Box office sales and critic reviews showed this film will not likely have a large or lasting impact as anything other than a cautionary tale on movie making.
Works Cited
“A Gest of Robin Hood.” The Robin Hood Project. University of Rochester, Web. 12 Mar.
2014.
Backman, Clifford R. The Cultures of the West: A History. New York: Oxford University Press,
2013. Print.
Holt, J.C. Robin Hood. 3rd ed. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2011. Print.
The Real Robin Hood. Dir. M. David Melvin. Perf. Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett,
Dominic Kinnaird, Lockhart Ogilvie and William Hurt. History Channel, 2010. Film.
“Robin Hood.” Gale World History in Context. Trident Technical College. 1989. Web. 12 Mar.
2014.
...f knighthood. The idea of the crusade, and the affiliated pilgrimage came to be regarded as temporary, adopted, migratory monastic life. Although none of the ideas of Robert, Guibert, and Baldric were new, in fact they were derived from the accounts of those who survived the first crusade, they romanticized the idea of the holy war and knighthood, making it more appealing to the common person, and more morally acceptable in religious circles.
William was born around 1147 to John Marshall and Sybil of Salisbury during the reign of King Stephen. His father, John Marshall, served as a court officer and eventually earned the status of a minor baron. John Marshall was a shrewd soldier and a skilled negotiator. He was the premier example of lordship in William’s life. William’s relationship with his father would be brief and he would never experience him beyond his childhood. John Marshall died in 1165. John would leave a legacy behind that would influence William’s life and spark the future of his outstanding career both as a soldier and a courtier.
As could be foreseen, Sir Gawain’s and Thomas Becket’s journeys converge into the molded pattern of the Hero’s Journey. First and foremost, they respond to the “Call to Adventure.” Gawain rises up to take the Green Knight’s challenge from King Arthur’s hands (Tolkien 36). Thomas Becket accepts his fate while preaching in the Cathedral on Christmas morning: “…I do not think I...
Many historians conclude that Richard’s indifference to his wife signifies to that the Lionheart had a deviant sexual orientation. Documented records of Richard's adolescent infatuation and behavior also suggest underlying homosexual attraction for young Prince Philip Augustus of France, when the two princes were teenage friends in the French court in Paris. A similar innuendo is offered for adult King Richard’s very close bond of friendship during the Third Crusade with his...
Coffin, Judith G, et al. Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. 17th ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Co, 2011. Print.
Gifted with the darkest attributes intertwined in his imperfect characteristics, Shakespeare’s Richard III displays his anti-hero traits afflicted with thorns of villains: “Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous / By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams” (I.i.32-33). Richard possesses the idealism and ambition of a heroic figure that is destined to great achievements and power; however, as one who believes that “the end justifies the means”, Richard rejects moral value and tradition as he is willing to do anything to accomplish his goal to the crown. The society, even his family and closest friends, repudiate him as a deformed outcast. Nevertheless, he cheers for himself as the champion and irredeemable villain by turning entirely to revenge of taking self-served power. By distinguishing virtue ethics to take revenge on the human society that alienates him and centering his life on self-advancement towards kingship, Richard is the literary archetype of an anti-hero.
Coffin, Judith G., and Robert C. Stacey. "CHAPTER 18 PAGES 668-669." Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. 16TH ed. Vol. 2. New York, NY: W. W. Norton &, 2008. N. pag. Print.
This essay will be covering chapters five through eight of the Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. It will include a general half page summary of each chapter. There will also be a conclusion at the end. In order to summarize the chapters, there must be a main character introduction. Robin Hood is the main character. He and the Sheriff have had a few feuds through the book (considering he is an outlaw). Little John is Robin Hood’s right hand man or “lieutenant,” as stated by Allen W. Wright. The Sheriff of Nottingham is a greedy sheriff who is very focused on capturing Robin Hood.
Cole, Joshua, Judith G. Coffin, Carol Symes, and Robert Stacey. Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. Brief Third ed. Vol. 2. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2012. Print.
For example, towards the end of the film, Marian was being held in the dungeon within the castle for being unloyal to her husband. In order to fight for her right to be with whomever she pleases, Robin fights mercilessly in order to help her escape. Also, when the knights try to invade Sherwood in search of Robin, all of his men go to secret hideouts among the trees and wait until the Sheriff and Prince pass along through in order to attack to protect their land and leader. This action shows chivalry because it is only fair that the men of Robin defend their homes land and leader just as well as the Nottingham army would do for their country, therefore making it a just cause. Clearly, Robin and his men demonstrate a clear understanding of which situations are worth fighting
Response: First of all, Robin's personal crusade against the Sheriff has evolved into something way past what he initially intended. It's gotten a bit out of hand. So the first issue that needs to be addressed is the focus. Robin should not lose sight of his initial crusade. After all, that's why he started as an out-law in the first place. He needed men to fulfill his quest, but now with the excessive number of men and the excessive demands placed upon the Merrymen, he needs to address the purpose of his revolt. He believed that there would be strength in numbers, yet is that what he learned? In fact, the more men that came to him, the more complicated his revolt got. And not only that, but now, his group has become more vulnerable. So, there's another issue. Has his group gotten too big that it has created a more difficult situation than what Robin started with? The next issue he needs to deal with is the growth of his band of men. In the beginning, he accepted any man without question. But is that a viable strategy now? Does he need more people, or could he become more selective in potential recruits? As he said, he's losing touch with his people. He doesn't know half of them. And that's a problem, isn't it? It's a problem because the Sheriff could send in spies. That makes Robin more vulnerable again. Another problem: food is now scarce and resources are low. Further, he needs to decide about the tax issue. He needs to decide about the timing of a campaign against the Sheriff. He needs to decide about accepting the offer from the barons. Yes, Robin does have a lot of issues to resolve.
There are several issues Robin Hood needs to consider. First, Robin Hood needs to make sure his own personal grievances against the Sheriff do not cloud his vision and what is in the best interest of his Merrymen as a group. Second, take a broad look at the overall organizational structure by conducting an environmental scan, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis and/or using a variety of organizational assessments (measurements). A SWOT analysis will help determine some strategic alternatives and how the band can attempt to fulfill its mission and achieve its goals. Robin Hood can use the SWOT analysis to identify where he is strong and vulnerable, where he should defend and attack by scanning both internal and external environments (McNamara, Performance Management, 1999).
Accept the invitation from the Barons to join them in their quest to collect the ransom that would release King Richard the Lionhearted from his jail in Austria in return for Robin's future amnesty. The Barons assistance would alleviate problems concerning provisions.
"The Story of Robin Hood." The Story of Robin Hood. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
Robin Hood a legend that lived in Sherwood Forest and was a known thief, bandit, and an outlaw. He was the leader of the Merry Men and one of the most influential figures at that time (Wright, 2004). Although it was not always like this, he was once a simple man who did not defile the king. It did not last long though, because he decided to go against the king after experiencing his corrupt rule first handed. His actions against the king led to a change in how many of the people thought, by influencing the actions of others.