Why Is Robin Hood Outlaw

Robin Hood is an outlaw who seeks adventure and lives life to the fullest. Even though we all

have made mistakes in our life because of our sinful nature, I would not consider Robin Hood a

true follower of Christ for many reasons. One of the reasons being that he has killed two people

before the age of twenty-five.As stated in Leviticus, “Whoever takes a human’s life shall surely

be put to death” (English Standard Version, Leviticus. 24. 17). In the Bible God really shows that

He is against killing. I am aware that both times Robin killed were situations of kill or be killed,

but I still believe that he could have dealt with both of the situations better. I think that he could

have escaped the first person he killed without killing him. Robin

could have just shot the

yeoman somewhere that wouldn’t kill him. The same with the second person he killed, Guy of

Gisbourne. Yes, Guy was determined to kill Robin, but instead Robin killed him. I believe that

Robin should have had better judgement and not killed him. If Robin was a true follower of

Christ he would not have killed him, instead he could have struck him somewhere that would not

kill Guy, but will keep him from getting up until Robin had time to escape. What is even worse

than Robin killing Guy, is that when Robin stabbed he didn’t just do it once, but several times.

Howard Pyle says,“Down fell the sword from Guy of Gisbourne's grasp, and back he staggered

at the stroke, and, ere he could regain himself, Robin’s sword passed through and through his

body. Round he spun upon his heel, and, flinging his hands aloft with a shrill, wild cry, fell

prone upon his face upon the green sod”(Pyle, Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne). Overall I

view Robin as more of a do gooder than a Christ follower. One thing I like about Robin is that

his heart is in the right place and that he has morals, even though he has killed twice, it’s better

than him just going around killing all willy-nilly. I like how he tells his men to not kill unless

necessary. Robin Hood really does show a lot of character throughout the book though. Robin

Hood’s character is really interesting in a way that just makes you want to keep reading. He’s

funny, brave, serious, adventurous, and very outgoing.

I believe what makes people love Robin Hood so much are the adventures him and his men

go on.His adventures grab the reader’s attention and just make them want to keep reading, the

main reason is because of the slight hint of mystery. “I think one reason people love reading

mysteries is because they are a safe thrill, kind of like roller coasters when you’re a kid. They’re

a safe adventure, as well. Just as in any other type of book, we get to visit exotic or interesting

places. You can see the dark side of people, but you know that justice will prevail. Good will

overcome evil”(Why do we enjoy mysteries so much?). Reading is an important part of

education and if you find a book that really just grabs your attention then you'll actually enjoy

reading. Another thing would be how Robin will somehow always manage to get in trouble and

all he has to do is blow his bugle horn and his butt is saved by his men. Personally I enjoy the

rush of when Robin Hood is about to get killed and all he has to do is blow his horn. One thing

people definitely love about Robin Hood is his will to help people no matter what the cost. Robin

and his men would risk their lives just to help others. In chapter 21 Little John risked his life

trying to save a widow’s three sons. John knew that by helping her, he was putting his life in

danger, but he went anyways. Actually, John would have gotten killed if Robin hadn’t come and

saved the day. What I like most about Robin Hood is the adventure and how him and his men

always have each other’s back.

The story of Robin Hood has impacted people for years. John Chandler states, “Robin Hood

is a part of our popular culture, and has been for over 600 years. This outlaw of medieval

England has seemingly appeared everywhere. Medieval chroniclers like Andrew of Wyntoun (c.

1420) and Walter Bower (c.

1440) happily accepted Robin’s existence, and his wide appeal led

to brief mentions in various texts. Scholars have long searched for the origin of Robin Hood, for

an identifiable, historical outlaw in the Sherwood or Barnsdale area. The opening quote from

Langland’s Piers Plowman (c. 1377) is Robin’s first appearance in a text, be it literary or

historical, and it is not a shining reference. Sloth suggests songs of Robin Hood are widely

known in taverns, implying he is a popular figure without a literary pedigree. Clearly, Robin

Hood is of no importance to the aristocracy, but he holds some currency in popular circles.

Sloth’s familiarity with drinking songs about Robin Hood, but utter lack of knowledge of things

spiritual, also reflects the concern of the Church for the souls of people who likely attended mass

grudgingly, but could readily recite popular songs. Later texts similarly present Robin as a

popular figure, and few strictly medieval documents featuring Robin survive”(Chandler, “Robin

Hood: Development of a Popular Hero”). For centuries people have debated whether Robin

Hood is a real person or just a myth and to this day no one really knows if his story is true or

not.

If the story of Robin Hood was proven true, another dilemma will rise, which story of Robin

Hood is true. Over the years people have changed up the story to the point where no two stories

are alike anymore. Another way I think the story of Robin Hood has impacted people’s live is

that he gave hope for a better world.

The biggest lesson I learned from Robin Hood, is to stand against injustice and to help the

poor no matter what the cost might be. Galatians states, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any

transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on

yourself, lest you too be tempted”(English Standard Version, Galatians. 6.10). The Bible talks

about standing against evil and doing what's right. I learned to not just go with the flow, but to

fight for what is right.

Another lesson I learned was to not judge a book by its cover. By that I mean that I won’t just

judge someone from the way they look. In Robin Hood, Robin judged two people for the way

they looked and at the end one of them turned out to be his nephew. Robin judged a knight,

whom he saw on the road, and wanted to steal from him, thinking he was rich. In this situation,

Robin was proven wrong and he actually gave the knight money because he was in debt. Robin

also judged a young man who had some nice clothes on and was pretty buff, thinking he was just

a spoiled brat who’s probably afraid of his own shadow. In the end Robin found out that the

young man was actually his sister’s son who needed Robin’s help. In the Bible James says, “Do

not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his

brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a

doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to

destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”( English Standard Version. James. 4.11-12).

In conclusion, I believe that Robin Hood was not a true believer of Christ, because he never

showed that he believed God or that he even feared Him. What makes people like Robin so much

is that he gives hope and that his character is enjoyable. His legend has impacted people for

many years, because of the argument of whether he is real or not.

Chandler, John H. "Robin Hood: Development of a Popular Hero." Robin Hood: Development of

a Popular Hero | River Campus Libraries. N.p., 19 Jan. 2007. Web. 03 Mar. 2017.

.

Galatians. English Standard Version. Fritz Chery, 2 Apr. 2016. Web. 3 Mar. 2016.

.

James. English Standard Version. N.p., 2016. Web. 4 Mar. 2017.

.

Leviticus. English Standard Version. OpenBible.info., 2 Mar. 2017. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.

.

Pyle, Howard. "Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne." N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. The Merry

Adventures of Robin Hood. Web. 3 Mar. 2017.

.

Ramirez, Melissa. "Why Do We Enjoy Mysteries So Much?" Misa Ramirez. N.p., n.d. Web. 03

Mar. 2017. .