Week 11 Essay: A Hollywood Hero

What I have found super interesting in this unit is that the Robin Hood I read about was different from the Robin Hood I expected to read about. Robin Hood has always been a vigilante hero, someone who has robbed from the rich to give to the poor. You know, King Richard's BFF. Anyway, the Robin Hood I read about in these ballads was kind of...well, forgive my unprofessionalism, but he was a douchebag. Of course, the story I always come back to, he killed some guys just because they called him a kid and said he wasn't good with a bow and arrow. A littl much, wouldn't you say?

The Robin Hood We Know and Love

Now, what I want to know is how he changed from this jerk of a guy into the Errol Flynn, Batman-esque figure with much praise attached to his name. I read some stories of Robin Hood when I was younger that were supposedly originally told or written back in the 1400s and 1500s, and Robin Hood was a classic, slightly-swashbuckling savior to poor and oppressed individuals everywhere. The change seems to have occurred when British tyranny was an issue and these English folk were actually being oppressed like the characters in the stories.

So, it seems the nature of Robin Hood has changed (and continues to do so) over time and the course of society. He becomes whatever people need him to be. This, of course, can apply to every hero or legend, but it seems interesting that this marks the first folktale that I have experienced this over the course of the entire semester. It is something to think about that there are heroes out there who can be whoever us ordinary folk need them to be whenever we need them.

Author's Note
Of course, I read the Robin Hood Ballads, this week, and this is the thought that has stuck with me the entire week. I hope it made sense, and I'm not the only one who feels this way about it.

Week 11 Storytelling: Anger Issues

What a beautiful day for a trackmeet. The wind was blowing a nice and soothing breeze, the sun was out but veiling itself with a thin layer of cloud, and of course, the cheers from a stadium full of well-wishers, withering talents, and wannabes. I can easily get drunk off of this. I probably will one day. Right now, it's too sobering knowing that the cheers aren't for me. Most people don't know who I am. There is one small section over there calling my name, but they are drowning in a sea of screams. It's no matter. Everyone will join them by the end of today.

Time to line up, which means time to walk among the insults. Sure enough, just like everywhere else, the obnoxious drivel makes a path to lead me to my spot on the starting line. This bald gentleman calls me "kid" and says I'll be lucky to run the right direction. I gather his capacity for insult is below average. Another man with an Adonis build tells me I'll be eating his dust. I hate it when they say that. I hate it when they can't take me seriously! I'll show them. They'll see what I can do.

Gunshot.

I love this feeling. I love to sprint. I love to sprint towards an idiot, making him wonder what's going to happen next. They never quite know what's going to happen until I strike. Then, boom! Their hands and knees are scraping against the track, the wounds collecting gravel and dirt and blood. It's a wonderful feeling. In fact, I think it is one that a few certain individuals should experience, right now. Mr. Adonis, himself, can actually eat my dust. Just a few more to go. Plus, there's the finish line. Baldy up ahead is my last to deal with. He's about to be run over by a "kid". We'll see how he likes it.

Wham! There he goes! Haha! Ooh, and his bones crunch a little. Beautiful sound. For good measure, I can use his face for a springboard! There's the tape, there's the line, and there's the applause. Wonderful. This is what I live for, and these morons won't question my ability again, I would hope. It's good to be on top.

You Have the Music Stuck in Your Head, Don't You?

Author's Note
I adapted this from the Robin Hood Ballad called, Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham, which follows a similar vain. However, I watched Chariots of Fire the other night, so a race was on my mind. It was a smooth transition to my Storytelling, so I decided to run with it (pun intended).

Week 11 Reading Diary: Robin Hood

...
...This is not the Robin Hood I've heard of. He just killed 15 people because they told him he couldn't shoot a bow well. However, it tends to get a little better as time goes on. His meeting with Little John is about what I expected and is in fact very similar to their meeting in a certain Mel Brooks movie I adore. So, that kind of makes up for things concerning that introduction. Robin Hood is always quite clever and that makes the songs more enjoyable. Plus, it should be noted that the songs being kept in the original Olde English is very fun to try and read. I also went ahead and listened to a few of the recordings, just to say I did, and it was most definitely worth it. Also, there are quite a few "derry"s and "down"s throughout the songs, which makes it quite interesting, incredibly strange, and honestly, a little fun. If you ask me, though, I love these stories so far, but I prefer the easy-going, rob from the rich and give to the poor, kind of Robin Hood. He's a cool dude. This guy, well, he's got his moments, but he's different.

What's really surprising is how there became such an iconic hero as the Hollywood Robin Hood and what I'm assuming was in later English myth than from is in these ballads. What did it take for them to change his character so? I mean, while reading, I can get a glimpse of the legend that has been made into countless movies and storybooks and fantasies, but this Robin Hood is kind of a jerk. Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying these ballads and tales. I think what I like about them so much is how they are singable. Who doesn't love a good song? Seriously, if Ariana Grande recorded a song with these Robin Hood lyrics, I might actually listen to Ariana Grande. I might still refrain if Nicki Minaj did them, though...