Quirky, humorous, and featuring a dashing Robin Hood that represents true chivalry yet also contradicts its foundations. Considering Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a satirical comedy, a mix of accuracies and inaccuracies are to be expected with a film that is more concerned with poking fun than historical accuracy. Since chivalry was an important part of society in the century Robin Hood: Men in Tights is set in--the twelfth century--this review will focus specifically on how well the main character embodies the principal. Especially since at the end of the movie, Robin Hood is knighted by King Richard the Lionheart.
When it comes to being chivalric in regards to king, country, and conflict, Robin seems to be, for the most part, in the right. He is loyal to King Richard and takes a bold stand against John's seizing of power in Richard's absence. Part of his motivations are clearly personal due to the affect John's actions have made on his life, but there are also elements of doing so for the people of England and out of loyalty to the king. He is even tempered throughout the film, clearly courageous as he goes up against the Sherriff of Rottingham and his forces without hesitation, and when compared to the Sherriff he is the one who fights fairly while the Sherriff results to treachery and tricks. When Robin's fighting Little John over the bridge, they both get rid of one of the halves of their staffs when they break so both Little John and Robin are fighting on even grounds.
On the other hand, Robin does have his own share of unchivalrous acts on a smaller scale. During the scene where the Sherriff of Rottingham challenges Robin to a duel (pictured above), the Sherriff smacks Robin in the face with a leather glove, which Robin mirrors with a metal gauntlet. Firstly, there was no smacking each other with gloves to announce a duel, though gloves were proffered for the challenge. Secondly, considering chivalry is largely concerned with being on equal ground with your opponent and fairness, with underhand acts being considered unchivalrous, Robin returning the slap with a metal gauntlet was not a chivalrous action. In fact, his entire first interaction with the Sherriff could be considered unchivalrous. He causes the Sherriff to end up stuck under his horse after the Sherriff tries to draw his sword (which comes apart as he tries to draw it) and sends the horse racing with the Sherriff still stuck underneath it.
When it comes to courtly love and chivalry, Robin's discrepancies are clearer than the standards he adheres to. The clearest point of idealized courtly love between Robin and Maid Marian is the fact that she is difficult to attain due to all the obstacles that they keep finding between them. With the Sherriff of Rottingham also pursuing Maid Marian, Broomhilde's watchful eye, Prince John wanting Robin dead, and the incorporation of the mythical chastity belt, Robin winning Maid Marian is the attainment of a great prize in the eyes of chivalric love. But even at the end of the movie Robin is unable to unlock Marian's chastity belt, so in a way Robin still is unable to fully obtain the love of Maid Marian--within what we see of the story, at least.
Regarding the other parts of chivalric, courtly love, Robin has one scene in particular that sticks out as going against the basic rules. When Maid Marian goes to see Robin about the archery contest and makes him promise not to go, Robin is evasive and later goes to the archery contest anyway despite Marian's pleas. One of the rules of courtly love involves doing what would make their loved one happy, and not denying them, which Robin does the opposite of in the case of the archery contest. He even hushes Achoo when Achoo is about to point out Robin's trickery. It could also be argued that Robin also doesn't fit into the description of a man who constantly thinks of his loved one and whose every action is accompanied by thoughts of the woman he loved. Even after meeting Maid Marian, his every waking moment is not filled with thoughts of Maid Marian as the rules of courtly love say he should be.
Despite being the clear hero of this satirical take on a classic tale, Robin is too much of a fox to be considered chivalrous. Considering how important chivalry was at the time, it is a serious fault that he seems to pick and choose what parts of chivalry he wants to pay attention to. As much of a charming rogue this portrayal of Robin Hood is in today's time, he doesn't quite measure up to the standard of a medieval knight in shining armor.
Sources
Brooks, Mel, Director. Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Brooksfilms, 1993.
Capellanus, Andreas. The Rules of Courtly Love. Twelfth Century.
De Gamez, Diaz. The Chivalric Ideal. Twelfth Century.
Harrison, Robert. The Song of Roland. Penguin Group, 1970.
I really like how you displayed both the chivalrous and unchivalrous characteristics of Robin in this film. It is interesting how you pointed out how Robin did the opposite of chivalric ideas whenever he denied and did not listen to Maid Marian. After reading your review, it seems like this is an entertaining film that uses a lot of embellishment to entertain the audience, instead of focusing on historical accuracy. Would you include this film in a history classroom?
ReplyDeleteI would. There are accuracies in the film, and most of the inaccuracies come for the sake of humor and are usually pretty obvious in my opinion.
DeleteMy sister knew one of the knights that fell like dominoes on the stairs.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you explored both the chivalrous and the unchivalrous aspects of Robin Hood's character. I personally have never thought of Robin Hood as a knight, however, I am now able to see how one may think that. I do have to agree with you though that he does not quite measure up to a knight in shining armor. Great review overall.
ReplyDeleteThis has always been one of my favorite films to watch, with its comedy and interesting story line. I like how in your review you highlighted on Robin's character with how he likes to choose which parts of chivalry he wants to live by. I think that really sums up Robin himself, he's meant to be cunning and the opposite of what you would expect of a medieval knight.
ReplyDeleteOdd how the Sheriff and Robin Hood are both pursuing the same girl, and then Robin Hood hits him in the face with a shovel. I found that quiet funny!
ReplyDeleteNot for that reason obviously, but there might have been some personal hate behind the use of a shovel instead of a glove
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