Category Archives: Classics Retold

Classics Retold: A Gest of Robyn Hode

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Robin Hood Banner

Banner created by Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide

Hello lovelies! As you know September is Classics Retold month and you may remember that I am focusing on Robin Hood! I am INCREDIBLY excited to share all of the Robin Hood things with you all! Some of you may know that I have my Bachelor’s Degree in English, which means that I had to write a nifty thesis in undergrad! My thesis class was Heretics and Outlaws, and it was even more amazing than it sounds. I wanted to research ALL OF THE THINGS, but I settled (not really settling) for Robin Hood and wrote a cultural comparison on the original Gest and the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner. In a nutshell: it was long. In lieu of boring you (I know, how could it possibly be boring, it’s ROBIN OF THE HOOD!) I am going to give you some quick little snippets:

  • Much like the “Who is Shakespeare?!” conundrum, there are many arguments between scholars whether or not Robin Hood is a real person or simply a character from a ballad – I like to think that he was real for obvious, romanticized reasons.
  • Many scholars argue that Robin Hood was really a yeoman who worked as a money lender to bankrupt knights, and not a member of the lower class who “stole from the rich to give to the poor.”
  • The original tale “A Gest of Robyn Hode” is one of the oldest surviving tales of Robin Hood, printed between 1490 and 1534
  • The Gest was originally written in Middle English (Think: Chaucer) but is believed to have began as a minstrel tale due to the fact that there are parts when the narrator speaks directly to the audience.
  • Maid Marian was not in the original Gest, the tale focused more on the politics and corrupt legal system of the time instead of romance and platonic relationships between Robin and his cohorts.

Further Reading

  • Read the original Geste here
  • Read more about the “real” Robin Hood here
  • For film and TV adaptations check out this list, and for books and other media, look here
  • If you want to know anything else about these types of ballads, or readalikes (the outlaws and such) let me know, I have done incredible amounts of research on the topic and I would be happy to share!

For fun, I have attached the powerpoint presentation that I presented to introduce my paper to the English department, take a look and let me know what you think!

Stay tuned, I have some awesome adaptations coming your way!!

Classics Retold

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ClassicsRetold

Welcome to the main page of the Ancient to Renaissance Literature Classics Retold project! Here you will find a list of lovely bloggers who are participating and links to their relevant posts! This post will remain on the main page of the blog through the month of September and will then move up top under Events & Features. Stay tuned for frequent updates!

Classics Retold is a fun event that was born from Project: Fairy Tale , which was originally hosted by Alison @ The Cheap Reader. This project will essentially work the same except we will be taking a classic novel or tale, instead of a fairy tale, and blogging about its adaptations. It works great for those of you who have wanted to read a classic, but haven’t had the time or for those of you who missed out during Project Fairy Tale.

The Who:

Since this project is so HUGE, we have split up the co-hosting duties! It’s all one big project so you only sign up once for one main text (not once on each blog).

– King Arthur

– The Odyssey

Heidi (Bunbury in the Stacks)

– Taming of the Shrew
– The Tempest

– Twelfth Night

– Tristan and Isolt

Classics Retold: Robin Hood

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Robin_Hood_Memorial

Welcome friends! Today I will be reminding you all of my love for Robin Hood! This is just going to be a quick intro post showcasing what I will be reading (and watching) for our Classics Retold project! This isn’t really a complete list since I want to read ALL THE BOOKS, but these are my definites!

I’ve actually owned this book for years, and I tried reading it a while back and couldn’t get into it. It has great reviews, though, so I am hoping to give it another try!

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Hood by Stephen Lawhead

For centuries, the legend of Robin Hood and his band of thieves has captivated the imagination. Now the familiar tale takes on new life, fresh meaning, and an unexpected setting.

Steeped in Celtic mythology and the political intrigue of medieval Britain, Stephen R. Lawhead’s latest work conjures up an ancient past and holds a mirror to contemporary realities. Prepare yourself for an epic tale that dares to shatter everything you thought you knew about Robin Hood.

 

 
Lady of the Forest by Jennifer Robersonlady of the forest

As the gates of Ravenskeep swing open and a young woman flees into the primeval depths of Sherwood Forest and into the arms of the man she loves, a saga of exceptional power and remarkable passion begins…

He is Sir Robery Locksley–the heroic nobleman who has turned his back on all he knows to embark on a dangerous quest for justice in an England torn apart by treachery, betrayal and war.

She is Lady Marian of Ravenskeep–the proud, defiant knight’s daughter who leaves her sheltered life behind to join a shadowy band of outlaws who follow no law but their own.

maidmarian

 

Maid Marian by Elsa Watson

Marian is left alone again—a widow who has never been a bride. But now, like all unmarried young ladies of fortune, she is made the ward of King Richard the Lionheart. Since Richard is away on Crusade, Marian’s fate lies in the hands of his mother, the formidable Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. The bridegroom Eleanor selects will get Marian’s lands and, in return, pledge his loyalty—and silver—to the king. Marian herself is irrelevant and she knows it. Determined not to be sold into another sham marriage, she seeks out the one man who can help uncover the queen’s intentions: Robin Hood, the notorious Saxon outlaw of Sherwood Forest.

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The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin Mckinley
Author McKinley applies her unparalleled vision of traditional legends to the story of Robin Hood and his community of Sherwood Forest outlaws.

 

 

 

Robin_hood_1991

 

 

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

This one is obvious. I wrote my undergraduate thesis on it, I love me some Kevin Costner and Alan Rickman. I don’t care that he didn’t have an English accent, WE LOVES IT.

 

RobinHoodMeninTights_Poster

 

 

 

 

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

A Mel Brooks film, and a spoof on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, in particular. I LOVE this movie, but I will never forget how my mother had me watch The Princess Bride and then Men in Tights directly after. I still have a hard time looking at Cary Elwes as anyone but Wesley ❤

Robin_Hood_2010_poster

 

 

 

Robin Hood (2010)

Vastly different than the other films, and much more dramatic. At first I didn’t particularly enjoy this adaptation, but I have grown to love the intensity of it. Plus? Russell Crowe.

 

 

 

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BBC Robin Hood TV series (2006)

I can’t tell you how many times I have checked this out from the library and haven’t made the time to watch it. I am going to watch at least the first season, but I am hoping that it is so awesome that I can’t stop. Better start soon! Also, I feel as if I am really talking a lot about the hotties who have played Robin Hood so it is only fitting that we mention RICHARD EFFING ARMITAGE AS GUY OF GISBORNE. WHY DON’T I ALREADY OWN THIS SERIES?!

 

 

What do you guys think? Any that I am certainly missing and NEED to read? Let me know! Don’t forget that you can still sign up for Classics Retold, and you don’t have to post reviews for any retellings until September! You have so much time!!

Classics Retold

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ClassicsRetold
 

 

Classics Retold is a fun event that was born from Project: Fairy Tale , which was originally hosted by Alison @ The Cheap Reader. This project will essentially work the same except we will be taking a classic novel or tale, instead of a fairy tale, and blogging about its adaptations. It works great for those of you who have wanted to read a classic, but haven’t had the time or for those of you who missed out during Project Fairy Tale.

The What:

For a classic to be usable for this project, it should have at least 2 adaptations, spin-offs, sequels, or retellings.

  1. Choose a classic  that you want to read.
  2. Sign up via the Google doc below and I will place your name and link back to your blog on a sign-up page. Additionally, I will give you a list of possible adaptations that I have found – you will not be limited to this list, of course, it is only meant to be helpful.
  3. Write a “sign-up” post on your own blog before May 25 just telling the blogosphere which “classic” you are choosing and any other info you want to include (for example, here is my sign up post for Project: Fairy Tale) I know that it is MONTHS away so no pressure, just let me know as soon as you do!
  4. Read your classic, and then read or watch as many retellings, spin-offs, sequels or adaptations of the classic as you can.
  5. Post reviews or your thoughts on your blog for each one during September.
  • To participate in this project, you only sign up for one classic and its adaptations.
  • 1-4 bloggers can work on a “main” text. You can work independently or work together, and you’re allowed to all read/watch the same things or split the work up
  • Optional: If you’d like to work on another classic or adaptation in addition to your main choice, find the bloggers “in charge” of that text and ask to do a guest review/post.
  • I will be hosting a giveaway on my blog for those of you participating in the Ancient – Renaissance Literature Classics Retold section. The details aren’t final yet but just know that each review (etc.) that you post will be  one entry! More details will follow as we get closer to the end of sign-ups!

Have fun with this! In lieu of classic reviews, write a character analysis, talk about the culture of the book, or use it in a meme! Get creative! As long as it links back to your classic in some way, it works toward the project!

The When:

  • Sign-ups will run from April 11 – May 25
  • September 2013 will be our month to post!

The Who:

Since this project is so HUGE, we have split up the co-hosting duties! It’s all one big project so you only sign up once for one main text (not once on each blog).

Ancient to Renaissance Literature Sign Up

I took the liberty of brainstorming some ideas for Ancient to Renaissance Literature books and adaptations! Don’t feel limited by these titles, if there is another title that you are interested in just let me know and I will let you know if it’s acceptable, or if it falls under another category!

– Beowulf
– Biblical
– Faust
– Gilgamesh
– King Arthur

– The Illiad
– The Aenid
– The Odyssey

– Hamlet

– King Lear
– Macbeth
– The Merchant of Venice
– A Midsummer Night’s Dream

– Much Ado About Nothing
– Othello

– Romeo and Juliet

– Taming of the Shrew
– The Tempest

– Twelfth Night
– Tristan and Isolt

*Let it be known that I will be participating and reading Robin Hood, as well as its retellings and adaptations! I’m going to have my own intro post sometime next week so you can all see what I have planned!