Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: Chapters 1-5 Summary
In this post, we continue the novel The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle by summarizing chapters 6-10. In it, we will learn more about Little John and Will Scarlet and other merry men. We will also see a deepening conflict between Robin and the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: Chapters 6-17 Summary
In chapter 6, Little John attends the Nottingham Fair disguised as a yeoman. Due to his immense size and strength, he wins over those attending the fair. While playing at an archery contest, he wins the grand prize, besting everybody including the Sheriff of Nottingham’s men.
The text states, “Near the target, in a good place, sat the Sheriff upon a raised dais, with many gentlefolk around him … A score of brave shots were gathered there, and among them some of the keenest hands at the longbow … and among them Little John stood taller than all the rest” (Pyle).
The Sheriff offers Little John a job, which he takes in order to gain more information for Robin Hood.
In chapter 7, Little John becomes a trusted employee of the Sheriff. He uses his position to keep Robin Hood informed as to the Sheriff’s business. Little John eventually uses the Sheriff’s idea to host a feast. In this way, he can get back at the Sheriff by luring him into Robin Hood’s good graces.
“Then one of the band brought the Sheriff a cup of sack, bowing low as he handed it to him; but the Sheriff could not touch the wine, for he saw it served in one of his own silver flagons, on one of his own silver plates,” the story states.
However, Robin gives the Sheriff his own stolen goods back. He tells him to “take thou thine own again … and hearken to me, good Sheriff, take thou a piece of advice with it. Try thy servants well er thou dost engage them again so readily.” With this warning and fair bit of advice, the Sheriff leaves Sherwood Forest.
Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: Chapters 8-10 Summary
Chapter 8
In chapter 8, Little John encounters a tanner named Arthur-a-Bland on his way to Blyth. Both men engage in a physical duel and are comparable in many ways, which leads to them ceasing their quarrel. Robin, watching the battle happen from the bush, notes that he had never “thought to see Little John so evenly matched.”
Little John tells Arthur that he is one of Robin’s men. This excites the tanner who then agrees to join the merry men.
The tanner exclaims: “Will I join thy band? … Ay, marry, will I!”
Chapter 9
In chapter 9, Robin Hood meets Will Scarlet, a man who dresses in red and who is quite skillful with both sword and bow. After a duel with Robin, wherein the “dust of the highway rose up around them like a cloud” and there was “the rattle of staves against one another,” Will Scarlet reveals that he is related to the outlaw of Sherwood himself, for he is Robin’s nephew. Will explains to Robin that he fled from a crime he did not commit. He then wants to join Robin’s merry men. Robin welcomes him warmly.
Chapter 10
In chapter 10, Robin encounters a miller’s son, Midge. Midge does not want to give up his goods; believing Robin is a common thief, he refuses to relent. Meanwhile, the man impresses Robin with his tenacity. He asks him to join the merry men. Midge accepts and joins the group.
The text states:
“So that night all was ablaze with crackling fires in the woodlands, for though Robin and those others spoken of, only excepting Midge, the Miller’s son, had many a sore bump and bruise here and there on their bodies, they were still not so sore in the joints that they could not enjoy a jolly feast given all in welcome to the new members of the band. Thus with songs and jesting and laughter that echoed through the deeper and more silent nooks of the forest, the night passed quickly along, as such merry times are wont to do, until at last each man sought his couch and silence fell on all things and all things seemed to sleep.”
Analysis of Robin Hood
Popularity and Menace
These chapters inform the reader of the merry men’s growing popularity. Will Scarlet joins the group along with Arthur and Midge; all of whom boast their own skills and exceptions. The thought of new comrades joining Robin Hood and his merry men is charming. Considering the story is set during the medieval era, which is such a dark time, a little levity helps.
Moreover, these chapters continue building the Sheriff of Nottingham’s menace. While Robin dupes Little John, he is still an intelligent and crass man. As Robin sees the skill in Little John and still employs him to his company (even though he doesn’t know his identity). However, we also see the Sheriff’s shortsightedness, as he follows the trail of somebody who wronged him too closely. This ensnares him in a trap. Having Robin outsmart the Sheriff further cements their stature as heroes of yore. They they clearly show the Sheriff but remain kind and generous to him.
Righteousness and Goodness
Robin has already grown from outlaw on the run to hero of Sherwood forest. He stands up for both peasants and servants. His growth can be seen in his actions. He both welcomes new members to the merry men, and he gives the Sheriff necessary “advice” to steer him away from crookery. These are certainly the qualities of a hero. Robin his overtly standing up for people who have very little power compared to sheriffs and kings.
Robin’s motivations seem purely out of the goodness of his heart. But, I have to wonder, why put yourself in harms way if only to stand up for the little guy? What does Robin have to gain? I think an immediate answer is: what does he have to lose? At this point, he has killed a man in self-defense and lives on the lamb to avoid punishment from the Sheriff of Nottingham who simply can not be impartial when it comes to Robin’s sentencing, as the Sheriff was related to the murdered man. Therefore, Robin can only take on the mantle of hero for the people, as his unjust, albeit self-imposed, exile may be a motivating factor.
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