Week 11: Famous Last Words

The semester has gone by so quickly! Week 11 has already come and passed. As the temperature has dropped lower and lower this week, I have found myself looking forward to winter break more and more. Winter has always been my favorite season growing up. I hope it snows this year!

In physics lab this week, we continued our exploration into the field of optics. We used a light source and many different mediums to see how the travel of light changed depending on the composition of the material. Organic Lab was much more unfortunate this week, as our lab involved using diethyl ether, a very, very smelly compound. I don't think the stench will ever leave my notebook.

 

(Robin Hood: Wikimedia Commons)

For my weekly reading in Mythology and Folklore this week, I chose to read the classic Ballads of Robin Hood. Next to Aesop's fables, this has been my favorite reading of the year. One of my favorite tales from this reading was The Ranger. In this ballad of Robin Hood, Robin Hood treks through the forest one day in search of a deer to hunt to bring back for himself and his merry men. While trekking through the woods, however, Robin Hood finds himself amongst a ranger, who informs him that the deer of the forest belong to the king and threaten that if Robin Hood kills one of the deer, he shall attack. Robin Hood rejects the words of the ranger, saying that he has hunted in the forest for years, and will not be stopped. The two men engage in combat with their swords, fighting evenly for three hours! How exhausting! Eventually, Robin Hood's men appear, but instead of killing the Ranger, Robin Hood offers him a place in his ranks. I think my favorite aspect of this story is the two men becoming friends after gaining each others respect in combat.

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!

Week 11 Reading Diary: Robin Hood Ballads

Here are a few of my favorite stories from Ballads of Robin Hood

The Ranger After the winter ends, and the snow melts away, Robin Hood sets out to hunt a deer to bring back for him and his merry men to eat. Along the way, however, he runs into a forester, who tells him that the deer here belong to the majesty, and threatens Robin Hood. Robin Hood rejects the words of the forester, saying that he has hunted in the forest for years, and will not be stopped. The two men engage in combat with their swords, fighting evenly for three hours! Eventually, Robin Hood's men appear, and he offers the skillful ranger a place in his ranks.

Rescuing Three Squires In this tale, Robin Hood comes across a crying woman, who he soon discovers has three sons that have been sentenced to death for killing the king's deer. Robin hatches a plan to save these three men, and trades clothes with an old beggar to give himself a disguise. Robin Hood then goes to the Sheriff and offers to help hang these men, but instead blows loudly on his horn, calling upon his men. They quickly arrive and save the three squires.

Little John a Begging In this story, Robin Hood sends Little John to go out begging. Little John agrees, and gathers his things to set out. Eventually, he meets up with a number of other beggars, who recognize Little John as not one of their own. The beggars decide to rob Little John for his bread and cheese, but he fights them off and instead finds a large amount of gold on them.

The Noble Fisherman Robin Hood takes to a disguise yet again in this tale, this time making himself up to be a poor fisherman. Robin Hood is offered a job on a boat by a woman, and soon sets off to sea. While out on the ocean, however, a band of french robbers attempts to hijack the boat. Robin Hood, with his swift bow and arrow, takes them all out.

Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight In this tale, the king sends Sir William and a hundred men to confront Robin Hood. After Robin Hood refuses to surrender, the two groups of men clash. Robin Hood survives this battle, but soon after becomes sick. A monk comes to let his blood, but this only worsens his condition. Robin Hood soon dies.