1. Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow
Author Unknown

2. Background
Robin Hood was created during a time when people desperately needed a hero
The story seems to date from the mid-1100s to the early 1200s during a time when the country of England was being heavily taxed by a foolish king who insisted on fighting wars he could not finance or win

3. There seems to be some legitimate historical background to the story, and he was known in poetry by the 1500s
The prequel to this poem is that Robin Hood, at the age of 18, has traveled away from home to participate in an archery contest; he is then coerced into killing a king’s deer, and then kills a forester in self-defense; a fugitive, Robin Hood now lives in Sherwood Forest

4. Literary Terms
Ballad - A narrative poem that depends on regular verse patterns and strong rhymes for its effect
Folk Ballad - Originates as an anonymous song and is passed down orally before being written down

5. Class Work “Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow,” pages 79 – 84
Notice the dramatic difference between Robin Hood as a hero and previous men – Beowulf, the Knight in “The Canterbury Tales”
Why do you believe Robin Hood is presented in a light-hearted manner? How does this levity help/hurt the people who admire him?

6. Le Morte d’Arthur
Thomas Malory

7. Thomas Malory c
Mallory was a wealthy lord who was imprisoned for “violent crimes,” but it was not known if the accusations were genuine or politically motivated
Regardless, Mallory wrote his eight-volume compilation of Arthurian legends while imprisoned

8. Mallory’s friend, William Caxton (brought the printing press to England), published the works for him and gave them its title
Although other Arthur stories exist, this version is the most popular and definitive source used today

9. Background
The heroes of most of the popular folklore and legends probably did exist
Arthur was probably a Celtic chieftain who unified parts of England in heading off the Anglo-Saxon invaders
An honorable, good leader, Arthur was able to bring order and prosperity to a dark time in British history

10. In the Arthurian legends we add several interesting elements to our definition of a hero
Camelot – King Arthur’s beautiful home and the symbol of grace and honor; a place filled with peace and harmony
Round Table – the concept that the knights were all equal and were able to voice their opinions without fear of reprimand
Quest – a journey undertaken by a knight that would bring him honor as he served his king in a dramatic fashion – saving ladies, slaying dragons, and living an honorable life above reproach

11. Many modern writers have used the Arthur stories as the basis for their own heroes – Mark Twain, Lord Tennyson, and John Steinbeck
In later years, additional elements have been added to the story
This story is the early life of Arthur before he became the adult ruler we are most familiar with

12. Class Work “Le Morte d/Arthur,” pages 88 – 92 Annotate the text
the young Arthur was already known for his integrity and loyalty to his family – even though it was not his real family…there was a sign of heroic qualities to come in the youngster who pulled the sword from the stone

13. Home Work Literary Critique, page 84, #s 1-4