Essay for Week 11: Heroes of Robin Hood Ballads

Throughout mythological and folkloric tales, many examples of heroes can be found. The Ballads of Robin Hood provide no exception to this trend. Although Robin Hood may not fulfill the traditional idea of the chivalrous knight in shining armor, his many noble deeds more than prove that he is a true hero.

(Robin Hood: Wikimedia Commons)

In the tale Rescuing Three Squires, our heroic protagonist Robin Hood one day happens across a crying old woman. When Robin Hood questions the woman as to why she is crying, the old woman informs Robin Hood that each of her three sons have been sentenced to death for simply hunting a deer in the forest that the king claimed as his own. The hero Robin soon comes up with a plan to save the old woman's three sons. Robin Hood first seeks out a old beggar, and trades clothes with him to gain a disguise. Dressed as a lowly beggar, Robin Hood meets up with the Sheriff and offers to be the hangmen for the three men. The hero Robin Hood, risking his life and limb for three strangers, blows loudly upon his horn, calling his men to his side. With the help of his men, Robin Hood and the three squires escape into the forest.

Robin Hood's noble deeds do not end with him saving three lives. In the tale The Noble Fisherman Robin Hood once again takes to a disguise, this time pretending not be be a beggar, but instead a poor fisherman. Robin Hood meets a woman at the docks, who offers him a job on her boat.While Robin Hood is out at sea, a group of french pirates attempt to board the boat that Robin Hood is working on. The Hero Robin Hood draws his bow and shoots each and ever last one of the pirates. If saving the whole crew of the boat isn't heroic, I don't know what is!