Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from Robin Hood, by J. Walker McSpadden
Two days passed by. Little John, it must be confessed, did not make
a good servant. He insisted upon eating the Sheriff’s best bread and
drinking his best wine, so that the steward waxed wroth. Nathless the
Sheriff held him in high esteem, and made great talk of taking him along
on the next hunting trip.
It was now the day of the banquet to the butchers, about which we have
already heard. The banquet hall, you must know, was not in the main
house, but connected with it by a corridor. All the servants were
bustling about making preparations for the feast, save only Little John,
who must needs lie abed the greater part of the day. But he presented
himself at last, when the dinner was half over; and being desirous
of seeing the guests for himself he went into the hall with the other
servants to pass the wine. First, however, I am afraid that some of
the wine passed his own lips while he went down the corridor. When he
entered the banqueting hall, whom should he see but Robin Hood himself.
We can imagine the start of surprise felt by each of these bold fellows
upon seeing the other in such strange company. But they kept their
secrets, as we have seen, and arranged to meet each other that same
night. Meanwhile, the proud Sheriff little knew that he harbored the two
chief outlaws of the whole countryside beneath his roof.
After the feast was over and night was beginning to advance, Little John
felt faint of stomach and remembered him that he had eaten nothing all
that day. Back went he to the pantry to see what eatables were laid by.
But there, locking up the stores for the night, stood the fat steward.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadden
This passage comes from Robin Hood (1912), a retelling of the legendary English folk hero by J. Walker McSpadden, an American author who adapted the medieval ballads and tales into a cohesive narrative. The excerpt focuses on Little John, one of Robin Hood’s most trusted lieutenants, who has infiltrated the Sheriff of Nottingham’s household in disguise. The scene is rich in irony, tension, and character dynamics, while also reinforcing key themes of the Robin Hood legend—deception, class conflict, and the subversion of authority.
Context of the Scene
- Little John’s Disguise: Earlier in the story, Little John (whose real name is John Little) loses a quarterstaff fight to Robin Hood and joins his band of outlaws. Here, he has disguised himself as a servant in the Sheriff’s household, likely as part of a larger scheme (possibly to gather intelligence or steal from the corrupt Sheriff).
- The Sheriff’s Banquet: The Sheriff is hosting a feast for the butchers’ guild, a group of wealthy merchants. Such banquets were common in medieval society, where nobles would display their power by lavish entertainment. The fact that the banquet is held in a separate hall (connected by a corridor) adds to the physical and symbolic separation between the nobility and their servants.
- Robin Hood’s Presence: Robin has also infiltrated the banquet (likely in disguise as well), setting up a dramatic irony—the Sheriff is unaware that his two greatest enemies are under his roof.
Themes in the Excerpt
Class Conflict & Social Subversion
- Little John, a common outlaw, is posing as a servant but refuses to act like one. He drinks the Sheriff’s best wine, eats his best bread, and lounges in bed while others work—mocking the very hierarchy the Sheriff represents.
- The steward’s anger ("the steward waxed wroth") highlights the resentment of the lower class toward the aristocracy’s excesses. Little John’s defiance is a microcosm of Robin Hood’s broader rebellion against unjust authority.
- The butchers’ banquet symbolizes the corruption of the wealthy, who feast while the poor suffer. Robin Hood’s mission is to redistribute wealth, and this scene reinforces the moral justification for his actions.
Deception & Disguise
- Both Little John and Robin Hood are in disguise, playing roles to outwit the Sheriff. This is a recurring motif in Robin Hood stories—the outlaws use cunning rather than brute force to defeat their enemies.
- The dramatic irony is thick: the Sheriff praises Little John ("held him in high esteem") while being completely oblivious to his true identity. The audience knows the truth, making the Sheriff appear foolish and vulnerable.
Loyalty & Brotherhood
- When Little John and Robin Hood recognize each other, they keep their secrets and arrange a meeting. This shows their trust and coordination—they don’t risk exposing themselves, even in surprise.
- Their shared mission (likely to rob the Sheriff or gather information) reinforces the camaraderie of the outlaws, who operate as a tight-knit family against a corrupt system.
Humor & Satire
- Little John’s laziness and gluttony ("lie abed the greater part of the day," "drinking his best wine") are played for comic effect, but they also satirize the aristocracy’s decadence. He mimics the behavior of the nobles he despises, exposing their hypocrisy.
- The fat steward is a stereotypical corrupt official, more concerned with locking up food than serving justice. His presence adds to the farce of the Sheriff’s household.
Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices
Dramatic Irony
- The Sheriff’s ignorance of Little John and Robin Hood’s true identities creates tension and humor. The reader knows the outlaws are right under his nose, making his boastful confidence ("made great talk of taking him along on the next hunting trip") ironically foolish.
Foreshadowing
- The locked pantry at the end hints at future conflict—Little John will likely steal food or cause trouble, continuing his defiance.
- The arranged nighttime meeting between Robin and Little John suggests an impending heist or escape, building suspense.
Characterization Through Action
- Little John is portrayed as:
- Defiant (eating the Sheriff’s best food, drinking his wine).
- Cunning (playing the role of a lazy servant to avoid suspicion).
- Loyal (immediately recognizing Robin and keeping their secret).
- The Sheriff is shown as:
- Naïve (trusting Little John despite his poor service).
- Arrogant (hosting a lavish feast while his servants toil).
- The steward represents petty authority, more concerned with rules than justice.
- Little John is portrayed as:
Medieval Language & Tone
- McSpadden uses archaic phrases ("waxed wroth," "nathless," "whom should he see but") to mimic the style of old ballads, giving the story a legendary, timeless feel.
- The narrator’s intrusive comments ("we can imagine the start of surprise," "I am afraid that some of the wine passed his own lips") create a storytelling atmosphere, as if the tale is being recounted orally.
Symbolism
- The banquet hall’s separation from the main house symbolizes the division between the rich and poor.
- The locked pantry represents the hoarding of wealth by the powerful, which Robin Hood’s band seeks to redistribute.
Significance of the Scene
Advancing the Plot
- This scene sets up a future confrontation—whether a heist, escape, or trick—where Robin and Little John will outsmart the Sheriff.
- It also deepens the rivalry between the outlaws and the Sheriff, making their eventual clash more satisfying.
Reinforcing Robin Hood’s Mythos
- The disguise and infiltration trope is central to Robin Hood legends, emphasizing cleverness over brute strength.
- The class warfare theme is reinforced, showing why the outlaws are justified in their rebellion.
Character Development
- Little John is more than just a sidekick—he’s bold, resourceful, and humorous, making him a fan-favorite character.
- The Sheriff’s blind trust in Little John makes him appear weak and easily fooled, increasing the audience’s disdain for him.
Moral Lesson
- The scene critiques greed and corruption, showing how the powerful are often blind to the suffering they cause.
- It also celebrates ingenuity and rebellion, suggesting that justice sometimes requires deception.
Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters
This excerpt is a microcosm of the Robin Hood legend—witty, subversive, and morally charged. Through disguise, irony, and class conflict, McSpadden captures the essence of the outlaw hero: a man who fights corruption with cunning, mocks authority with humor, and upholds justice through defiance. The scene is both entertaining and thematically rich, making it a key moment in the broader narrative of Robin Hood’s rebellion against the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Would you like any further analysis on specific elements, such as the historical context of medieval banquets or comparisons to other Robin Hood adaptations?