Robin+Hood+-+Movie+guide

**__ The real Robin Hood __** The “facts” of the story of Robin Hood, at least one romantic version of them, are these. In the time of Richard the Lionheart a minor noble of Nottinghamshire, one Robin of Loxley, was outlawed for poaching deer. At that time the deer in a royal forest belonged to the king, and killing one of the king's deer was therefore treason, and punishable by death.  So Robin escaped to the greenwood of Sherwood Forest, making a living by stealing from rich travellers and distributing the loot among the poor of the area. In the process he gained a band of followers and a spouse, Maid Marian. Despite the best efforts of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, he avoided capture until the return of King Richard from the Crusades brought about a full pardon and the restoration of Robin's lands. One thing to note about the early legends is that **Robin Hood was not an aristocrat**, as he was later portrayed, but a simple yeoman driven to a life of crime by the harsh rule of the law of the rich. As such, it is easy to see how his story soon became a favourite folk tale among the poor: though in the oldest surviving accounts a particular reason for the outlaw's hostility to the sheriff is not given, in later versions the sheriff appears as despotic and gravely abuses his position, appropriating land, levying excessive taxation, and persecuting the poor. In some later tales the antagonist is Prince John, based on the historical John of England, who is seen as the unjust usurper of his pious brother Richard the Lionheart.  **__ Movie analysis __**  This movie will help you understand the basic features of the feudal society, clearly identifying the different relations established between the social sectors of Medieval England.  This guide does not strictly follow the **logical sequence of scenes**. Instead, it has been prepared for you to focus on the different topics that have been studied **already** in class. **Pay attention to the scenes described and then answer the questions.**

**__ Topic 1: Challenging the Crown – The conflict between the lords and the King __**

** 1. Locksley’s castle, England: ** Lord Locksley is writing a letter to know about his son, Robin, who went to Jerusalem to fight in the crusades along with King Richard “the Lionheart”, when he is suddenly interrupted by a servant who asks for help. Lord Locksley decides to help his servant and in his way out of the castle runs into the Sheriff of Nottingham and his followers. Pay attention to the dialogue:

SHERIFF: Locksley LORD LOCKSLEY: The king will hear of this! SHERIFF: Join us LORD LOCKSLEY: Never! SHERIFF: Join us, or die! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">LORD LOCKSLEY: For God and King Richard!

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 2. Dubois castle: ** Robin arrives at the Dubois castle to see Lady Marian. Her maid, Sarah, “welcomes” him pretending to be Marian and refers to the situation they been going through in England since the King left to the Crusades. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">SARAH: Thank you. With the king away, we must guard us from villainous outlaws, who would kidnap a relative of his. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Surely you can see that I'm not one of those

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 3. Inside Nottingham cathedral: ** The Sheriff of Nottingham has heard from Guy de Gisborne that Robin Hood visited Lady Marian. Therefore, he wants to convince her that he’s worried about her safety due to the fact that she is the cousin of the king and the latter has many enemies in England.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">SHERIFF: Well then perhaps, you do me the honour of accepting a small token of my undying devotion to your safety <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">MARIAN: King Richard would be deeply moved to hear from your concern for my welfare <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">SHERIFF: I'm afraid the King has many enemies, both abroad and at home. I fear for his safe return. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> MARIAN: Oh, fear not, dear sheriff. He will return, and when he does he will wish to reward his faithful subjects.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 4. The Sherwood Forest: ** Lady Marian is with Robin Hood in the camp of the outlaws. Robin takes her to one of the huts and shows her the treasures and jewellry they have stolen from different lords and barons. He explains her that the money they have stolen was a bribe to put the barons against the King.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: This is blood money, Marian. It's intended to bribe King Richard's enemy's to unite them against him. We intercepted it. [...] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">MARIAN: No:Nottingham would not dare challenge the king! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Well, the King is not in England to be challenged, is he. While he's away he may loose his country. You thought:you thought I was keeping it all, didn't you? Didn't you?

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 5. The Sherwood forest: **** Will Scarlet has been freed by Nottingham to set Robin Hood a trap. He meets the outlaws in the Sherwood forest and tells them about Nottingham plans of hanging those who had been captured.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">WILL SCARLET: I bring a message from Nottingham. [...] The hangings are part of the celebration for the Sheriff's marriage. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">DAVID: Marriage? To whom? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">WILL SCARLET: Lady Marian <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">FRIAR TUCK: He takes a bride of Royal blood <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">JOHN: And with King Richard away, he'll be after the bloody thrown!


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">Think of Nottingham’s plans against the king. Why was Lady Marian such an important “piece” in the relations within the nobility? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">Read again the different scene descriptions and dialogues. Do these extracts show the relation between the lords and the king during the Middle Ages? Why? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: justify;">* <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**__ Topic 2: A peasant’s life __**

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 1. The English countryside: ** a little boy (Wulf) is being chased by Guisborne and the Sheriff’s soldiers. The boy manages to climb a tree and avoid the dogs. Robin of Locksley appears and says the following:

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Hold! I'm curious: what man or creature is so fearsome that it takes six men to attack it. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">GUY: This is no affair of yours [...] He killed one of the Sheriff of Nottingham's deer <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">WULF: We were starving! We needed the meat! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">GUY: I advice you to move on, pilgrim, this is the Sheriff's land <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Wrong, this is my land and my tree. So whatever's in it also belongs to me

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 2. The Sherwood Forest: ** Robin is with Azeem and Duncan trying to cross a river in the forest when they are intercepted by John Little and Will Scarlet.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">WILL SCARLET: There was a rich man from Nottingham, who tried to cross the river. What a dope, he tripped over a rope. Now look at him shiver! Beg for mercy, rich boy! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: I beg of no man <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> WILL SCARLET: Well, this here is our river and each man that wishes to cross must pay a tax <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: I'll pay no tax, as you can see I have nothing. Not even my sword <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">JOHN: Any man who travels with two servants and claims that he's got no bloody money, is even a fool or a liar.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 3. [various scenes] Little village: ** pay attention to the characteristics of the peasants village; the houses, the clothes, etc. Also pay attention on how is presented the relation between the peasants and the Sheriff’s soldiers every time they arrive at the village demanding the tax.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 4. The Sherwood forest: ** The Sheriff’s soldiers have destroyed the village so now the peasants arrive to the camp where the outlaws stay, looking for shelter. Many are angry at Robin Hood because the Sheriff’s men burnt their houses and said it was Robin’s fault.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">WILL SCARLET: You brought this misery on us, Locksley. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: This is Nottingham, trying to divide us <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> WILL SCARLET: We are divided, rich boy. I'm not as blind as that old man over there. You're still trying to be lord of the manor. I heard today that the sheriff now values your neck at five hundred goldpieces. I say we take him in! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Will, do you think that the sheriff will give everything back when I'm gone? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">WILL SCARLETT: They'll give us the reward and our pardons <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Wrong. He'll stretch your necks one by one. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Wish to end this? Wish to go home? Then we must stop fighting amongst ourselves! And face that the price worth may be dear: But I for one would rather die and spend my life with hiding. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">The Sheriff calls us outlaws, but I say we are free!** And one free man defending his home is more powerful then ten hired soldiers. The Crusades taught me that. I will make you no promises, safe one; that when you truly believe in your hearts that you're free then I say we can win!


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">How was the relation between the lord [of a manor] and the peasants [the villeins]? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">Robin said “The Sheriff calls us outlaws, but I say we are free!”? Why were they free? What made them free? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: justify;">* <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**__ Topic 3: The power of the Church __**

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** A – Charity **

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 1. Sherwood Forest [morning]: ** Robin is planning to see Marian again. So he asks Duncan if mass is still celebrated on Sundays as it used to.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: What day is it, Duncan? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">DUNCAN: Sunday, I think <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Do they still give alms to the poor at mass? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">DUNCAN: They do, thee days the need for mercy is greater then ever.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** Following scene: **** people are at mass, the Bishop preaching, beggars asking for money, etc.


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">Why did everyone –from the lords to the peasants & beggars- went on Sunday to mass? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">What can you learn from this scene about the importance of the Church in the Middle Ages? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: justify;">** B – Relation with power of lords **

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 1. Nottingham Cathedral: ** The Bishop during the celebration of mass, gives his blessing to the powerful.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">BISHOP: We'll be searching thy blessing Lord, on all thy people, but most especially on ours noble Sheriff of Nottingham. Grand him the wisdom to guide and protect our glorious city, grand him also the strength to bring to justice the lawless men, who would threaten its safety and prosperity and the judgement to punish them. In your name, amen.


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">Which was the relation between the Church and the nobility [lords, barons and kings] in the Middle Ages? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: justify;">** C – [Material] Power of the Church **

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 1. The Bishop’s private chamber, inside Nottingham Cathedral: ** Robin enters the chamber and the Bishop tries to avoid speaking to what he thinks is a beggar. Pay attention to the luxury surrounding the Bishop.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">BISHOP: These are my private chambers, my son. I have priests who would hear your confession. Ah! I see the boy I knew, in the man before me. Welcome home, Robin.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 2. Sherwood Forest: ** Robin and his followers attack a carriage where the Friar Tuck travels. The Friar is carrying wine (that he also drinks... a lot!) and the money with which Nottingham wants to bribe the other barons.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Goodmorning, my reverent friend. You travel with poor company when you travel with Nottingham's soldiers <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ALL: Tax him! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: I'm Robin of Locksley. And my men are thirsty. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">FRIAR TUCK: Robin Hood! God blesses me! I mistook you for common thieves. Let me pass, Sir <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Surely the Lord has the charity to spare a few barrels for good Christian men. [...] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">FRIAR TUCK: Well, if you wish to share in the good Lord's brew, you must pass me for it! Confess, Robin Hood, that Friar Tuck is a braver and wiser man then thy are! He gives us and he takes it away: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Do you yield? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">FRIAR TUCK: I'd rather roast in hell! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">[...] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">FRIAR TUCK: Thank you, Lord, for teaching me humility <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Are these not the meek of the earth? We're in need of an honest men to minister them. What say you friar? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">FRIAR TUCK: The Lord reveals himself in mysterious ways. I accept! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY: Good, you'll not regret it.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** 3. The Bishop’s private chamber, inside Nottingham Cathedral: ** Robin and his followers are inside the walls of the Nottingham Castle, trying to save the outlaws that were going to be hanged and Lady Marian. Friar Tuck enters the Bishop’s private chamber and confronts him.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">FRIAR: So, you sold your soul to Satan, your grace. You accused innocent man of witchcraft and let them die. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">BISHOP: But brother friar. You would strike another man of the cloth. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">FRIAR: No, I wouldn't. In fact, I'll help you pack for your journey! You have to take a lot of gold to help you on your way. You are a very rich man. And that, and that. Here's thirty pieces of silver to pay the devil on your way to hell!


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">Which are the differences between the Bishop and Friar Tuck? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">During the Medieval period, the Church was accused of being corrupt. Could Friar Tuck be compared to John Ball? Explain your answer using the information from the scenes and your knowledge.