Story Planning: The Adventures of Robin Hood Live On

Source Notes: Robin Hood is an extremely ornery character who carries himself with extreme confidence and what seems like arrogance at times. Despite this though, he is an extremely likable character who is generous and kind. His many adventures create this illusion that he is truly invincible, so when I read the story about him dying, I could hardly accept it. Of course, Robin Hood was a real person, so it had to happen eventually. I would like to see his legacy live on though in some way other than through the stories. This is why I want to write a story about offspring of Robin Hood who continue his wild yet admirable antics.

I could not find anything online about Robin Hood ever having a child after doing a little research. He did, of course, have a love interest named Maid Marian. She was rather on the rebellious side as well, and I think it would be great if the two of them had a child together.

Robin Hood and Maid Marian, online source

I want to write a story where Robin Hood’s legacy lives on through his offspring. I could give it a tragic beginning where Maid Marian finds Robin Hood on his death bed and tells him she is with child. Then, Maid Marian can join the merry men, and they can help her raise her son. He will, of course, be a prodigy and can butt heads with the new sheriff of Nottingham who can incidentally be the old sheriff’s son. That way, the rivalry could live on through the sons. My story could be the first meeting between the two.

Characters:

Robin Hood’s son: He is just as cocky and ornery as his father, but he is also dedicated to his father’s values.

Sheriff of Nottingham: He is only sheriff because he is trying to live up to his father’s expectations, but he is not as adamant about stopping the outlaw as his father was. He actually agrees with the outlaw in some ways, but he is conflicted because he does not want to disappoint his father.  

Bibliography: Ballads of Robin Hood from The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child, link to online source

Reading Notes: Ballads of Robin Hood, Part B

Robin Hood: Men in Tights, online source

(Although this movie is a parody, it is a great one. I highly recommend.) 

I thought the story about the bishop of Hereford was a fun one to read. It was nice that the story led you to believe Robin Hood and his merry men were going to kill the Bishop but instead Robin Hood brought the Bishop back to participate in merry things with them. The Robin Hood character is very likable, and I think he will be a fun one to write. I can’t help but wonder if Little John likes his sidekick gig or if he would rather be in charge of the group. I could maybe explore a story about conflict between Little John and Robin Hood, like changing the Little John begging story to have Little John argue with Robin Hood about him telling him to go begging. I really like how all of the stories start, telling everyone to come ‘round to hear the story of Robin Hood. I was confused at first because the rich Robin Hood is stealing from seem to all be people of the church, which seemed wrong to me until I considered corruption. This was a little hard for me to get used to at first though. I did like that the story about the priests finally came outright and explicitly stated the theme of giving to the poor. I had said in my previous reading notes that I would enjoy a story about Robin Hood fighting a woman and meeting his match, which I actually got with the story of Maid Marian. I loved this one too because it included a love story component. I really enjoyed the story of the golden arrow because it was familiar to me, but I don’t think familiar stories are the best ones to alter sometimes because people are too comfortable with how they go. It was very sad to read about Robin Hood dying because he seems so invincible. Perhaps I could write a story about him actually being invincible. In some way, I need to see Robin Hood live on-maybe through offspring that is just like him? That would be more realistic, of course. I did not like the second story about Robin Hood dying, but I did appreciate the detail that Robin Hood would never hurt a woman. Although he is a cocky and arrogant character, he is noble, and that is admirable and what makes him so likable. 

Bibliography: Ballads of Robin Hood from The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child, link to online source

Reading Notes: Ballads of Robin Hood, Part A

I was not expecting the Robin Hood stories to rhyme, so that was a nice surprise! The dialect was a bit difficult to read at times but not too bad. I thought it was kind of sad that the forresters died, but I did enjoy Robin Hood’s arrogant attitude. He is a fun character to read about; that’s for sure. I love how he seems to be good at anything he tries, and he just knows that he will be. I wonder what Robin Hood would be like in modern day. That could be a fun story to write- Robin Hood in high school. I loved the story of Little John. I think it is great that they could fight and be men about it, and it is great that Little John joins them. The fact that two men can fight and then be friends afterward is a fun element to me. I like how the sentence structure is switched around sometimes to make the rhymes work. I have played with that a bit in my nursery rhyme storybook, but these stories really sow the value of it. I like how Robin Hood encounters all these men and fights with them, but I think it would be fun to see Robin Hood fight a girl who can hold her own. I always related Robin Hood with the whole “steals from the rich, gives to the poor idea,” which I hope to see more of in the second set of stories. I do love how Robin Hood doesn’t know a stranger; he interacts with others as if he has met them before or even known them for a while. I liked that there was a love story incorporated into all the fighting stories with Robin and Allan a Dale. I also loved Robin saving the three squires because that showed his helpful side. I am excited to read the next set of stories!

Robin Hood, online source

Bibliography: Ballads of Robin Hood from The English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child, link to online source