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Excerpt ​

Excerpt from Robin Hood, by J. Walker McSpadden

In the days of good King Harry the Second of England--he of the warring
sons--there were certain forests in the north country set aside for the
King’s hunting, and no man might shoot deer therein under penalty of
death. These forests were guarded by the King’s Foresters, the chief
of whom, in each wood, was no mean man but equal in authority to the
Sheriff in his walled town, or even to my lord Bishop in his abbey.

One of the greatest of royal preserves was Sherwood and Barnesdale
forests near the two towns of Nottingham and Barnesdale. Here for some
years dwelt one Hugh Fitzooth as Head Forester, with his good wife and
son Robert. The boy had been born in Lockesley town--in the year 1160,
stern records say--and was often called Lockesley, or Rob of Lockesley.
He was a comely, well-knit stripling, and as soon as he was strong
enough to walk his chief delight was to go with his father into the
forest. As soon as his right arm received thew and sinew he learned to
draw the long bow and speed a true arrow. While on winter evenings his
greatest joy was to hear his father tell of bold Will o’ the Green, the
outlaw, who for many summers defied the King’s Foresters and feasted
with his men upon King’s deer. And on other stormy days the boy learned
to whittle out a straight shaft for the long bow, and tip it with gray
goose feathers.

The fond mother sighed when she saw the boy’s face light up at these
woodland tales. She was of gentle birth, and had hoped to see her son
famous at court or abbey. She taught him to read and to write, to doff
his cap without awkwardness and to answer directly and truthfully both
lord and peasant. But the boy, although he took kindly to these lessons
of breeding, was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand and
strolled at will, listening to the murmur of the trees.

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadden ​

This passage is the opening of Robin Hood (1912), a retelling of the legendary English folk hero by American author J. Walker McSpadden. The excerpt introduces the historical and social setting of the story, establishes the early life of Robin Hood (here called Robert Fitzooth, or "Rob of Lockesley"), and foreshadows his future as an outlaw. Below is a breakdown of the text’s context, themes, literary devices, and significance, with a focus on close analysis of the passage itself.

1. Context of the Excerpt ​

  • Historical Setting: The story is set during the reign of King Henry II (1154–1189), a time of feudal oppression, strict forest laws, and social inequality. The Royal Forests (like Sherwood and Barnesdale) were reserved for the king’s hunting, and poaching was punishable by death—a law that disproportionately affected commoners.
  • Literary Tradition: McSpadden’s version is a romanticized retelling of the Robin Hood legend, blending historical elements with folklore. Earlier ballads (like A Gest of Robyn Hode, c. 15th century) depict Robin as a yeoman outlaw, but later adaptations (including this one) often portray him as a nobleman wronged by authority, aligning with Victorian and early 20th-century ideals of chivalry and social justice.
  • Character Introduction: This passage introduces Robin’s origins—his father (Hugh Fitzooth, a royal forester), his mother (a gentlewoman with courtly aspirations), and his early fascination with archery and outlaw lore.

2. Themes in the Excerpt ​

A. Oppression vs. Freedom ​

  • The forest laws symbolize tyrannical authority: The king’s decree that "no man might shoot deer therein under penalty of death" establishes a harsh, unjust system that privileges the nobility while oppressing commoners.
  • The forest itself becomes a contested space—a place of royal control but also a potential refuge for rebels. The mention of Will o’ the Green, an outlaw who "defied the King’s Foresters," foreshadows Robin’s future resistance.
  • Robin’s early defiance: His joy in archery and woodland tales contrasts with his mother’s hopes for a "court or abbey" life, suggesting his innate rebellion against social constraints.

B. Nature vs. Civilization ​

  • The forest is a primordial, free space, associated with skill (archery), craftsmanship (whittling arrows), and oral tradition (stories of outlaws).
  • The mother’s gentility represents civilized society—she teaches Robin manners, literacy, and deference to authority, but these lessons feel artificial compared to his natural affinity for the woods.
  • The contrast between "stormy days" (when he works on arrows) and "winter evenings" (when he hears tales) reinforces the duality of his upbringing: one foot in nature, one in society.

C. Inherited Rebellion ​

  • Robin’s fascination with Will o’ the Green suggests that rebellion is learned—his father’s stories plant the seeds of his future as an outlaw.
  • The bow and arrow symbolize both skill and defiance—they are tools of survival but also weapons against authority.
  • His mother’s sigh indicates inevitable conflict: She senses that her son’s path will not align with her aristocratic dreams.

3. Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices ​

A. Imagery & Sensory Language ​

  • Visual: "comely, well-knit stripling" (youthful strength), "gray goose feathers" (precision in craftsmanship).
  • Auditory: "murmur of the trees" (the forest as a living, almost mystical entity), "woodland tales" (oral tradition).
  • Tactile: "whittle out a straight shaft" (hands-on skill), "thew and sinew" (physical development).

B. Foreshadowing ​

  • The stories of Will o’ the Green hint that Robin will follow a similar path.
  • The mother’s disappointment suggests future conflict—will Robin choose the forest over courtly life?
  • The bow and arrow are introduced as central symbols—they will later become his weapons against injustice.

C. Juxtaposition & Contrast ​

  • Forest vs. Court/Abbey: The wild freedom of the woods vs. the rigid hierarchy of nobility and church.
  • Mother’s Hopes vs. Robin’s Passions: She wants him to be a lord or cleric; he wants to be a woodsman and archer.
  • Law vs. Outlawry: The King’s Foresters (enforcers of oppressive laws) vs. Will o’ the Green (a folk hero who defies them).

D. Historical & Archaising Language ​

  • "Good King Harry the Second of England—he of the warring sons": Sets a medieval tone, referencing Henry II’s conflicts with his sons (Richard the Lionheart, John, etc.).
  • "Doff his cap without awkwardness": Evokes courtly manners, contrasting with Robin’s ruggedness.
  • "Thew and sinew": Old English terms for muscle and strength, reinforcing the physicality of archery.

4. Significance of the Passage ​

A. Establishing Robin’s Character ​

  • This excerpt humanizes Robin—he is not yet an outlaw but a boy shaped by environment and upbringing.
  • His dual nature (gentleman’s son vs. wild woodsman) makes him a relatable, complex hero.
  • The bow is introduced as an extension of himself, symbolizing his skill, independence, and future rebellion.

B. Setting Up the Conflict ​

  • The forest laws create the central injustice that Robin will later fight against.
  • The mother’s gentle breeding vs. the father’s woodland tales set up an internal conflict—will Robin conform or rebel?
  • The mention of Nottingham and Barnesdale grounds the story in real places, blending myth with history.

C. Themes of Social Justice ​

  • The passage critiques feudal oppression—the forest laws are unfair and brutal, making outlaws like Will o’ the Green (and later Robin) sympathetic figures.
  • Robin’s archery skills represent meritocracy—his talent, not his birth, defines him, aligning with democratic ideals.
  • The oral tradition (stories of outlaws) suggests that resistance is passed down, making Robin part of a long lineage of rebels.

5. Close Reading of Key Lines ​

  1. "No man might shoot deer therein under penalty of death."

    • Significance: Establishes the tyranny of the law—hunting rights were a privilege of the nobility, and commoners suffered for survival.
    • Foreshadowing: Robin will later defy this law, making him an outlaw but also a champion of the people.

  2. "His greatest joy was to hear his father tell of bold Will o’ the Green, the outlaw..."

    • Character Development: Shows Robin’s early admiration for rebels, planting the seed for his future role.
    • Literary Parallel: Will o’ the Green is a folkloric precursor to Robin Hood, suggesting that outlawry is a tradition.

  3. "She was of gentle birth, and had hoped to see her son famous at court or abbey."

    • Class Conflict: Highlights the tension between nobility and common life—Robin’s mother represents social climbing, while his father and the forest represent authentic living.
    • Irony: Her hopes are doomed—Robin’s destiny lies in the woods, not the court.

  4. "But the boy... was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand..."

    • Symbolism: The bow is his true calling, representing freedom, skill, and defiance.
    • Character Agency: Even as a child, Robin chooses his own path, rejecting his mother’s expectations.

6. Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters ​

This opening sets the stage for the entire Robin Hood legend by:

  • Introducing the oppressive system (forest laws) that Robin will challenge.
  • Establishing Robin’s dual heritage (noble blood vs. wild spirit).
  • Foreshadowing his destiny as an outlaw through his love of archery and rebel stories.
  • Creating sympathy for the common people by showing the harshness of feudal laws.

McSpadden’s version romanticizes Robin as a noble rebel, but the excerpt also grounds him in reality—he is a product of his environment, shaped by both gentility and wilderness. The passage effectively blends history, folklore, and social commentary, making Robin Hood a timeless symbol of resistance against tyranny.

Would you like any further analysis on specific aspects, such as the historical accuracy of the forest laws or comparisons to other Robin Hood adaptations?