Robin Hood
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| Infos : | 224 pages |
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From Medieval Outlaw to Modern Hero
Between history and legend: uncover the true origins of the ultimate people’s hero and the evolution of a global myth.
Today, Robin Hood is the quintessential popular hero, a noble-hearted outlaw surrounded by a band of loyal companions, who steals from the rich to give to the poor and fiercely challenges corrupt authorities. But he wasn’t always the hero we know today.
In the Middle Ages, when his story first emerged, Robin was simply a ruthless bandit. While he donned disguises to trick his enemies and competed in archery tournaments, he was a swordsman who killed without hesitation. He stole, certainly, but there was no talk of redistributing the wealth to give to the poor.
So, when did the iconic, altruistic hero of modern pop culture emerge? Retracing the footsteps of Robin Hood, medieval historian Aude Mairey investigates this archetypal figure. She paints a rich historical, political, social, and cultural portrait that stretches far beyond the borders of England, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day. In doing so, she explores how we have constructed and interpreted this enduring myth, ultimately asking one final question: why are we so captivated by Robin Hood?
READERSHIP: General readers, history and pop-culture enthusiasts, and readers fascinated by the tradition of great figures caught between history, myth, and legend.
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