Post B week 7

This post will be a reflection of how I thought the book went as a whole. I really enjoyed reading this book for multiple reasons, but of course I didn't like a few things as well. The parts of the book I enjoyed reading about the most was those that described Robin's childhood. You never hear about these and I found them really interesting- especially the parts about how Robin was originally a noble born boy, which is ironic because he later steals from them. Another part I really enjoyed about the book was how clean the book was in the sense of no sexual innuendos and no swearing. Perhaps this reflects the culture of those in medieval society-I don't know- but if it is I'm very surprised because of how hanging was very typical. The last part I really like about the book was the part that Robin wasn't invincible. Sure, he learns how to use the bow extremely well incredibly quickly, but its not like he knew everything about archery at birth. Also, the fact that Robin is defeated on multiple occasions suggests that defeat wasn't dishonorable as long as you admitted it. Which is very different from most legends about hero's.

Post A week 7

This week's cultural theme in Robin Hood is how physical superiority is the deciding factor in deciding if that person is worth having as a friend. For example, in these final chapters, Robin's band becomes increasingly bigger because he convinces more and more people to join. However, the people he decides to allow to join are those who beat him in combat, such as sword fighting or staff fighting. "Enter our company, then, John Little; and be welcome" (153). This is what Robin Hood says to Little John after little John launches Robin from a bridge.

Week 6 Post B

In this post, I will talk about how Robin has finally joined the band of outlaws that live in Sherwood forest. As I've mentioned, Robin has been frowned upon bye both the Sheriff and Prince John. These characters have considerable power in Nottingham, which of course means that they control the law. So in these chapters, Robin has been placed under arrest by the Sheriff, and while Robin was gone, the Sheriff and his men burned down Robin's house. This caused Robin's loyal bodyguard, Warrenton, to avenge his master by killing the men that burned down Robin's house. This act of vengeance caused Robin's arrest warrant to become a bounty with a high price on Robin's head. Robin then went into hiding with Warrenton and Stutetly and they stumbled upon Will'o the Green's band fighting the men of the Sheriff. The battle is going badly for the outlaws until Robin intervenes saving whats left of the band. Unfortunately, Will dies in the battle, but his dying words entitle Robin to join the band. This is were the chapters leave us, giving us an interesting cliff hanger.

Week 6 Post A

This week's cultural aspect is that "practical jokes" can be considered as asking for money or following a traveller, who is minding their own business, ceaselessly. For example, John Stuteley, Robin Hood's close friend, wants to bother this strange traveller: "They watched him go by, and passed jests between themselves concerning him. Stuteley begged that he might be allowed a joke upon the fellow"(144). This joke leads to a fight between Stuteley and the traveller in which Stuteley is struck in a way that had the traveller been using a sword instead of a cane, Stutelely would have died. So practical jokes back in old england could easily lead to individuals being killed.

Post B week five

I am going to talk about the first part of the book in general for this post. We all have heard of the legendary archer, Robin Hood, and how he stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Well, I didn't know anything about his childhood until I read this book, which is very interesting because it gives all the background you need to know in order to fill the gaps in the story line. The thing I find most interesting about Robin's childhood is how before Robin, there was another bandit leader who lived in Sherwood Forest, named Will'o the Green. He is basically the model that Robin bases himself off of, however, Robin is bascially a better version of Will in eveyway. For example, he knows how to read and write where as Will does not. Also, Robin is already equalled in bowmenship with Will at the age of 15, with barely any practice. The other very interesting thing I find differeing from what I expected was that Robin was a law abiding citizen until his father's post as ranger was not passed on to him.

Post A week 5

The cultural theme that I noticed in these chapters was that of how patriarchal a society Robin's is. Example's are scattered throughout the book, however, the example in my mind is how Robin is control of the household despite his mother living there, and women are portrayed as incompetent. For example, the sheriffs daughter get very mad at Robin because he didn't present her the award for being the prettiest. This caused Robin's death because her father spoils her, and she wanted Robin to be punished, so her dad sent out his men to punish Robin by hanging him. Also, Robin's mother is clueless to what is going on other than whats on the surface. "Why I did not know you met your cousin, Robin. When was it, and why do you call him the Scarlet Knight?(106). This quote is important because its illustrates how women are kept in the dark in the affairs of men.

Post b week 4

So much has gone on since the last post that it would be hard to explain it all. However, I'll do my best to keep it quick. Since last time, Robin has become the head forester of Sherwood because his father was killed by a deer. Despite being so young, he is respected by the other ranger's of Sherwood because he laid down strict punishment for someone who started to protest his leadership. Another major event that happened in these chapters was the fact that he entered another archery contest against the best archer's in England. He technically had the best shot in the competition, however, he was disqualified for shooting without giving his name to the council of the competition. This normal technicality wouldn't disqualify someone from the competition, but Prince John was there, and his archer was second to Robin, so in disqualifying Robin, his archer won. Robin was foolish in coming there because in taking the head Ranger post, he disobeyed the Sheriff. That said, the position was his by right, but at the very first archery competition, Robin gave his golden arrow to a girl different from the Sheriff's daughter, so the Sheriff has a grudge against Robin which I believe will cause trouble for him later.