ROBIN HOOD
JOHN KEATS
to a friend
No! those days are
gone away
And their hours are old and gray,
And their minutes buried all
Under the downtrodden
pall
Of the leaves of many years:
Many times have
winter's shears,
Frozen North, and
chilling East,
Sounded tempests to the feast
Of the forest's
whispering fleeces,
Since men knew nor
rent nor leases.
No, the bugle sounds
no more,
And the twanging bow
no more;
Silent is the ivory
shrill
Past the heath and up
the hill;
There is no midforest
laugh,
Where lone Echo gives
the half
To some wight, amaz'd to hear
Jesting, deep in
forest drear.
On the fairest time of June
You may go, with sun
or moon,
Or the seven stars to
light you,
Or the polar ray to
right you;
But you never may
behold
Little John, or Robin bold;
Never one, of all the clan,
Thrumming on an empty can
Some old hunting ditty, while
He doth his green way
beguile
To fair hostess
Merriment,
Down beside the
pasture Trent;
For he left the merry
tale Messenger for spicy ale.
Gone, the merry
Morris din;
Gone, the song of
Gamelyn;
Gone, the toughbelted
outlaw
Idling in the “grenè shawe”;
All are gone away and
past!
And if Robin should
be cast
Sudden from his
turfed grave,
And if Marian should
have
Once again her forest
days,
She would weep, and
he would craze:
He would swear, for
all his oaks,
Fall'n beneath the dockyard strokes,
Have rotted on the briny seas;
She would weep that her wild bees
Sang not to herstrange!
that honey
Can't be got without
hard money!
So it is: yet let us
sing,
Honour to the old bowstring!
Honour to the buglehorn!
Honour to the woods unshorn!
Honour to the Lincoln
green!
Honour to the archer
keen!
Honour to tight
little John,
And the horse he rode
upon!
Honour to bold Robin
Hood,
Sleeping in the
Underwood!
Honour to maid
Marian,
And to all the Sherwoodclan!
Though their days have hurried by
Let us two a burden
try.
DETAILED SUMMARY
John Keats' poem "Robin
Hood" is a nostalgic reflection on the legendary figure of Robin Hood and
his band of merry men. In the poem, Keats expresses sorrow over the loss of the
days when Robin Hood roamed the Sherwood Forest, emphasizing how those times
have disappeared into history. The poem carries a tone of longing for a
simpler, more carefree past, contrasting it with the present, which seems more
complex and less joyous. Keats writes the poem as a tribute to Robin Hood, his
companions, and the legends surrounding them, evoking a deep sense of
admiration for the old tales of heroism and adventure.
The poem begins by
stating that the days of Robin Hood are long gone, and their memories have
faded away, much like the passage of time has covered them with layers of
fallen leaves. Keats describes how the forest has seen many winters and storms
since those times. The image of winter’s “shears” cutting through the forest
suggests how nature and time have stripped away the vitality of the past. These
powerful forces of time have silenced the sounds that once echoed through the
forest—the bugles, the twanging bows, and the laughter of men like Robin Hood.
Keats points out how
these legendary figures, like Robin Hood and Little John, are no longer part of
the world. The forest that once rang with their merriment and adventurous
spirit is now quiet. He highlights the absence of Robin Hood's companions, who used
to play music, sing hunting songs, and laugh while journeying through the green
woods. The merry atmosphere of the forest is gone, and Keats notes that if
anyone were to visit the forest today, they would no longer find Robin Hood or
Little John, nor would they hear their lively songs.
The poem also
reflects on how the world has changed since Robin Hood's time. Keats mentions
that if Robin Hood were to return from his grave and find Marian, his beloved,
they would both be disheartened by the state of the world. Robin Hood, a
defender of the common people, would be furious to see that the forests where
he once found refuge have been destroyed. The oaks that sheltered him and his
band have been cut down for dockyards and left to rot at sea. Marian, on the
other hand, would mourn the loss of the wildness and natural beauty that once
surrounded her. Keats cleverly remarks that even honey, something as simple and
pure as nature’s sweetness, cannot be obtained without “hard money” in the
modern world, indicating that even the simple pleasures of life have become
tied to commerce and materialism.
Despite the loss of
Robin Hood and his era, Keats urges the reader to honor the memory of the past.
He calls for respect for the tools of Robin Hood's trade—the bowstring, the
buglehorn, and the woods themselves. He praises not only Robin Hood but also
Little John, Maid Marian, and the entire Sherwood clan, as well as the Lincoln
green they wore, symbolizing their connection to the forest and their outlaw
status.
In the closing lines
of the poem, Keats suggests that although the days of Robin Hood and his
companions have “hurried by,” we should still try to carry the burden of
remembering and honoring them. Their memory lives on through stories and songs,
and Keats encourages us to keep their spirit alive by celebrating their
legendary adventures.
In summary, Keats' "Robin
Hood" is a poem filled with nostalgia for the past and a recognition of
the ways in which the modern world has changed. Through the figure of Robin
Hood, Keats reflects on the loss of innocence, natural beauty, and the carefree
spirit of a bygone era. However, he also celebrates the enduring legacy of
Robin Hood and his companions, urging us to honor their memory and the values
they represent—freedom, justice, and a deep connection to nature.
ONE MARK QUESTIONS:
1. Who wrote the poem
“Robin Hood”?
Answer:
John Keats.
2. To whom is the
poem "Robin Hood" dedicated?
Answer:
A friend.
3. What instrument is
mentioned in the poem as no longer being heard?
Answer:
The bugle.
4. Which season’s
"shears" are mentioned in the poem?
Answer:
Winter.
5. Who is Robin
Hood’s famous companion mentioned in the poem?
Answer:
Little John.
6. What is the name
of Robin Hood’s beloved in the poem?
Answer:
Marian.
7. Which color is
associated with Robin Hood and his men in the poem?
Answer:
Lincoln green.
TWO MARK QUESTIONS:
1. What does the poet
mean by “No! those days are gone away”?
Answer:
The poet is expressing that the days of Robin Hood, his merry band, and their
adventurous times in the forest have passed and can no longer be experienced.
2. Why does the poet
mention “winter’s shears” and “frozen North”?
Answer:
The poet uses these images to represent the harsh passage of time and how
nature and the seasons have erased the memories of Robin Hood's time from the
forest.
3. What are some of
the things that have "gone away" according to the poet?
Answer:
The sounds of the bugle, the twanging of bows, the mid forest laughter, and the
lively songs of Robin Hood and his men have all disappeared.
THREE MARK QUESTIONS:
1. Why does Keats
suggest that if Robin Hood returned, he would be saddened?
Answer:
Keats suggests that if Robin Hood were to return, he would be upset to see that
the forests where he once roamed have been destroyed, and the simplicity and
beauty of the past have been replaced by the harsh realities of modernity,
including the need for money even to get honey.
2. What is the
significance of the reference to “Little John” and the “Sherwoodclan”?
Answer:
These references emphasize Robin Hood's companions and the legendary tales of
adventure and camaraderie in Sherwood Forest. They symbolize the unity,
bravery, and freespirited nature of the group, which is now lost to time.
3. How does Keats
contrast the past and present in the poem?
Answer:
Keats contrasts the lively, adventurous past of Robin Hood with the present,
where the bugle no longer sounds, the forests have been cut down, and simple
pleasures have become difficult to attain in the modern world. The joyous
freedom of Robin Hood's time is replaced by a world governed by money and
materialism.
FOUR MARK QUESTIONS:
1. Discuss the theme
of nostalgia in the poem "Robin Hood."
Answer:
The poem is filled with nostalgia for a lost era of adventure, freedom, and
simplicity. Keats laments the passing of Robin Hood’s days, expressing sorrow
that the joy, natural beauty, and wild spirit of those times are now gone. He
uses images of winter, fallen leaves, and silent forests to show how time has
erased these experiences, leaving only memories. The poet longs for the return
of those times but acknowledges that they are forever in the past.
2. Explain the
significance of the imagery related to nature in the poem.
Answer:
Nature plays a central role in the poem, symbolizing both the past vitality of
Robin Hood’s time and the inevitable changes brought by time. Keats uses
imagery of the forest, winter's shears, and fallen leaves to show how nature
has buried the past, but he also honors the beauty and wildness of the forests
that once provided a home to Robin Hood and his men. The loss of the untouched
forest mirrors the loss of freedom and simplicity from that time.
3. What does the line
“Honey can’t be got without hard money” symbolize in the poem?
Answer:
This line symbolizes the harsh reality of the modern world, where even the
simplest pleasures, like honey, which could once be freely obtained from
nature, now require money. It reflects the shift from a time of abundance and
natural beauty to a world governed by materialism and financial concerns.
TEN MARK QUESTION:
Q: Examine how John
Keats uses nostalgia to evoke the theme of loss in "Robin Hood."
Answer: In "Robin
Hood", John Keats expresses a deep sense of nostalgia and longing for a
bygone era, one filled with adventure, freedom, and joy. The poem is dedicated
to a friend, but its focus is on the legendary figure of Robin Hood, his
companions, and their days of merriment in Sherwood Forest. Keats mourns the
passing of those days, conveying the theme of loss in a way that evokes both
sorrow and admiration for the past.
The poem opens with
the declaration that the days of Robin Hood are "gone away" and their
hours are "old and gray." This sets the tone of the poem, suggesting
that the vibrant life once led by Robin Hood and his men has faded into the
distant past, leaving only faint memories. Keats uses the image of fallen
leaves, “the downtrodden pall / Of the leaves of many years,” to show how time
has buried the experiences of the past, much like autumn leaves cover the
forest floor. The natural world, once filled with the sounds of bugles, bows,
and laughter, has grown silent, reflecting the loss of the adventurous spirit
that once characterized Robin Hood’s time.
Keats also highlights
the passage of time through the harshness of winter, noting that “winter’s
shears” and the “Frozen North” have transformed the forest, stripping it of its
former vitality. This imagery of the changing seasons symbolizes how time wears
away even the most vibrant and joyous times, leaving only memories. Keats
suggests that the forest, once alive with the laughter and songs of Robin
Hood’s men, is now a quiet and desolate place, a stark contrast to its former
glory.
As the poem
progresses, Keats introduces a sense of disillusionment with the modern world.
He suggests that even if Robin Hood were to return from his grave, he would be
saddened by what he found. The oaks that once sheltered him have been cut down
and left to rot on the seas, and the wild bees that once provided honey now
require “hard money” to obtain. This shift from a world of natural abundance to
one ruled by commerce and industry reflects the theme of loss—not just of the
past, but of a simpler and more fulfilling way of life.
Despite this sense of
loss, Keats does not abandon hope entirely. He urges the reader to honor the
memory of Robin Hood, his companions, and the world they lived in. The poet
calls for respect for the tools of Robin Hood’s trade—the bowstring and the
buglehorn—as well as the forest that provided them with refuge. He praises not
only Robin Hood, but also Little John, Maid Marian, and the entire Sherwood
clan. In doing so, Keats reminds the reader that while the physical world of
Robin Hood may have disappeared, its spirit lives on through stories, songs,
and the shared admiration for their bravery and freedom.
Keats closes the poem
with a plea to “try a burden,” suggesting that the task of remembering and
honoring the past is something that he and his friend should take on together.
The use of the word “burden” implies that keeping the memory of Robin Hood alive
is not easy—it requires effort and dedication—but it is a task worth
undertaking.
In conclusion, Keats’
"Robin Hood" uses nostalgia to evoke a profound sense of loss for the
past. Through vivid imagery of the natural world, Keats contrasts the vibrant,
joyous life of Robin Hood’s time with the quiet, materialistic present.
However, despite this loss, Keats emphasizes the importance of remembering and
honoring the past, suggesting that the spirit of Robin Hood and his companions
can live on through memory and tradition. The poem serves as both a lament for
what has been lost and a celebration of the enduring legacy of Robin Hood.
