Robin Hood

Ever since I was a little child I have always loved Robin Hood. My younger brother and I would watch the Disney version almost everyday from the time that I was six until the time that I was eight. During this time my dad would read us the Disney version of the book at night before we went to bed. Next we moved on to the Errol Flynn version of Robin Hood which we watched religiously until the time that I was about eleven. That was when we of course got to the Kevin Costner version of Robin Hood, and well I probably don't have to tell you that this movie was pretty popular in my house as well. Now of course on our trip we have been presented the BBC television series of Robin Hood, and we are all fascinated by this version (to clear up any questions as to why, take a look at who they cast as Robin Hood).


Furthermore, now that I am a mother, my daughter is completely obsessed with Robin Hood. The Disney version is again popular in our house. Although according to R.B. "Disney has made love and tolerance stupid" (I just had to work this quote in here, because I thought that it was hilarious, it is only fair to note that she made this quote in reference to the Disney version of Winny the Pooh. Although I would argue that this concept can be extended to other Disney interpretations of classics as well). However, I digress, due to the extreme popularity of the Robin Hood story in my household I came into this trip with an idea in my head regarding the story of Robin Hood. However, this trip has led me to have some new interpretations of this classic tale.

First of all, based on the stories that we have been reading in class it has become clear to me that in accordance with the traditional tale Robin Hood isn't overly good at anything except for manipulation and personal relations. He loses every fight he ever engages in, he makes countless errors, and yet all of his men follow him and remain loyal? In these tales he is still a hero, who robs the rich to feed the poor, but Hollywood has certainly a different twist on it. However, with all of my previous experience with Robin Hood, and my new experience of reading the text I was looking forward to my visit to Sherwood Forest, and Nottingham Castle.

The forest was exactly how I pictured it when reading the stories, and was a good representation of the sets that I have seen in the movies. I could just imagine Robin Hood, Will Scarlet, and Little John gallivanting throughout these woods. However, there were two things that took away from my day dreaming of Robin Hood. The firs, was the cow grazing sign, and the second was that I saw no bodies of water. This makes the infamous scene of Robin being knocked into the water by Little John (allegedly a symbol of baptism) hard to imagine. I walked throughout the woods by myself, exploring the nature around me. I have to say, I found the experience to be oddly soothing. There is something so relaxing about walking throughout the woods with nothing but your own thoughts.

I found the Robin Hood Museum to be completely fascinating, and in some aspects hilarious. The museum reminded me of a ride at Disneyland rather than a legitimate museum. It had adorable paintings on the wall, meaningful quotes, and sets portraying various scenes of Robin Hood throughout. After exiting the museum, you enter directly into the gift shop (a well thought out marketing ploy obviously). The gift shop focuses mostly on the character of Robin Hood and secondly on the character of Maid Marian. The outlaws/ Merrymen seem to be treated almost as third class citizens. For example, there is only one costume choice for the Merrymen, and it is not specific to any one character. For example, there is no Little John costume...I found this a little upsetting (he is one of my favorites). However, the gift shop was prevalent with various Robin Hood memorabilia. i purchased a Robin Hood hat and fox stuffed animal for my daughter. And I purchased a Green Man postcard for myself. Since I had just presented on the medieval mindset, and more specifically the story of Gawain and the Green Knight.

My trip to Sherwood has in some ways diminished my appreciation of Robin Hood based on how commercial it is (this is in terms of the gift shop etc.) However, my journey throughout the forest has also created a renewed appreciation for the magic that is Robin Hood. Sherwood Forest is so beautiful and so open, and it provides a great deal of potential for any adventure.