Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, by Howard Pyle
So the poor yeoman turned his feet away from the door of the nunnery,
and left his master in the hands of the women. But, though he did not
come in, neither did he go far away; for he laid him down in a little
glade near by, where he could watch the place that Robin abided, like
some great, faithful dog turned away from the door where his master has
entered.
After the women had gotten Robin Hood to the room beneath the eaves, the
Prioress sent all of the others away; then, taking a little cord, she
tied it tightly about Robin's arm, as though she were about to bleed
him. And so she did bleed him, but the vein she opened was not one of
those that lie close and blue beneath the skin; deeper she cut than
that, for she opened one of those veins through which the bright red
blood runs leaping from the heart. Of this Robin knew not; for, though
he saw the blood flow, it did not come fast enough to make him think
that there was anything ill in it.
Having done this vile deed, the Prioress turned and left her cousin,
locking the door behind her. All that livelong day the blood ran from
Robin Hood's arm, nor could he check it, though he strove in every way
to do so. Again and again he called for help, but no help came, for his
cousin had betrayed him, and Little John was too far away to hear his
voice. So he bled and bled until he felt his strength slipping away from
him. Then he arose, tottering, and bearing himself up by the palms of
his hands against the wall, he reached his bugle horn at last. Thrice
he sounded it, but weakly and faintly, for his breath was fluttering
through sickness and loss of strength; nevertheless, Little John heard
it where he lay in the glade, and, with a heart all sick with dread, he
came running and leaping toward the nunnery. Loudly he knocked at the
door, and in a loud voice shouted for them to let him in, but the door
was of massive oak, strongly barred, and studded with spikes, so they
felt safe, and bade Little John begone.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
This passage is from Howard Pyle’s 1883 novel The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, a collection of stories about the legendary English outlaw who steals from the rich to give to the poor. The excerpt depicts a moment of betrayal, suffering, and desperate rescue, showcasing Robin Hood’s vulnerability and the loyalty of his companion, Little John.
Context of the Scene
Robin Hood, weakened by illness (or possibly poisoned), seeks refuge at a nunnery, where his cousin, the Prioress, resides. Unbeknownst to him, she is secretly allied with his enemies (likely the Sheriff of Nottingham or other corrupt authorities). Instead of helping him, she betrays him by cutting a deep vein in his arm, leaving him to bleed to death in a locked room.
Meanwhile, Little John, Robin’s most trusted follower, lingers nearby, unwilling to abandon his master despite being turned away. When Robin finally manages to sound his horn weakly, Little John rushes to his aid—but the nunnery’s doors are barred, leaving Robin in mortal peril.
This scene is pivotal in the novel because it:
- Reveals the treachery of those in power (even family).
- Highlights Robin’s mortality (unlike many legends where he is invincible).
- Demonstrates Little John’s unwavering loyalty, a key theme in Robin Hood lore.
Themes in the Excerpt
Betrayal & Deception
- The Prioress, a religious figure (supposedly moral and compassionate), betrays her cousin in a cold, calculated manner.
- The act of bleeding Robin under the guise of medical treatment is especially cruel—it mirrors historical practices (like bloodletting) but is here a deliberate murder attempt.
- The locked door symbolizes abandonment and entrapment, reinforcing the idea that those who should protect him (family, the Church) have turned against him.
Loyalty & Brotherhood
- Little John’s refusal to leave, even after being turned away, shows devotion beyond duty.
- His comparison to a "faithful dog" (a recurring motif in literature for loyalty) emphasizes his instinctive, unconditional bond with Robin.
- His frantic response to the horn (running "with a heart all sick with dread") contrasts with the Prioress’s cold indifference.
Suffering & Resilience
- Robin’s physical weakness (bleeding, tottering, faint horn blows) makes him human and vulnerable, unlike the invincible hero of some legends.
- His struggle to reach the horn shows his determination to survive, even in extreme pain.
- The slow, agonizing bleeding creates suspense—will he die before help arrives?
Corruption of Power & Hypocrisy
- The nunnery, a place of sanctuary, becomes a deathtrap, exposing the hypocrisy of institutional power (Church, nobility).
- The massive oak door "studded with spikes" suggests fortress-like cruelty—those inside are protected, while Robin is left to die.
Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices
Imagery & Sensory Details
- "Bright red blood runs leaping from the heart" → Vivid, almost poetic description of violence, making the betrayal more visceral.
- "Tottering, bearing himself up by the palms of his hands" → Shows physical collapse, making Robin’s struggle more desperate.
- "A heart all sick with dread" → Emotional imagery that conveys Little John’s fear.
Simile & Metaphor
- "Like some great, faithful dog turned away from the door" → Compares Little John to a loyal animal, emphasizing instinctive devotion.
- The nunnery as a prison (locked door, spikes) → Metaphor for institutional betrayal.
Foreshadowing & Suspense
- The slow bleeding creates dread—readers know Robin is dying, but will help come in time?
- The weak horn blasts suggest impending doom, but also hope (since Little John hears them).
Irony
- A place of healing (nunnery) becomes a place of death.
- A religious figure (Prioress) commits murder, violating her vows.
- Robin, who helps the poor, is abandoned by his own kin.
Symbolism
- Blood = Life draining away, but also betrayal (since it’s shed by family).
- The horn = Robin’s last call for help, a symbol of hope and loyalty.
- The locked door = Isolation, abandonment, and the cruelty of power.
Significance of the Scene
Humanizing Robin Hood
- Unlike many invincible folk heroes, this Robin is wounded, bleeding, and near death, making him more relatable.
- His dependence on Little John reinforces the importance of camaraderie in his legend.
Critique of Authority & Hypocrisy
- The Church (nunnery) and nobility (Prioress as his cousin) are corrupt, aligning with the novel’s anti-establishment themes.
- The scene challenges blind trust in institutions, a common theme in Robin Hood stories.
Little John as the True Hero
- While Robin is weakened, Little John’s loyalty and quick action make him the real savior in this moment.
- This shifts focus from Robin’s individualism to the strength of his band.
Dramatic Tension & Emotional Impact
- The slow, agonizing bleeding creates suspense—will Robin survive?
- The contrasting emotions (Prioress’s coldness vs. Little John’s panic) heighten the stakes.
Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters
This excerpt is one of the darkest moments in Pyle’s Robin Hood, stripping away the romanticized outlaw image to show vulnerability, betrayal, and the cost of defiance. It serves as a turning point in the story, reinforcing key themes:
- Loyalty vs. Betrayal (Little John vs. the Prioress).
- The Corruption of Power (Church and nobility as enemies).
- The Fragility of the Hero (Robin is not invincible).
Pyle’s vivid, emotional prose makes the scene unforgettable, blending action, suspense, and moral depth—a hallmark of his retelling of the Robin Hood legend.
Would you like any further analysis on specific aspects, such as historical context or comparisons to other Robin Hood adaptations?