The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

2005

by Howard Pyle

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is an 1883 novel by the American illustrator and writer Howard Pyle. This book presents a series of episodes in the story of the English outlaw, Robin Hood, and his band of Merry Men. The novel compiles traditional material into a coherent narrative using a colorful, invented "old English" idiom that preserves the flavor of the ballads and adapts it for children.

Pyle's work is notable for taking the subject of Robin Hood in a new direction. It influenced later writers, artists, and filmmakers through the next century. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood was the first novel Pyle attempted, adapting Middle Age ballads into a cohesive story, and altering them for the tastes of his child audience.

The novel portrays Robin Hood as a heroic outlaw who robs the rich to feed the poor. This portrayal contrasts with earlier ballads, where Robin Hood's crimes are motivated by personal gain rather than a desire to help others. Pyle's book helped solidify the image of a heroic Robin Hood, which had begun in earlier works such as Walter Scott's Ivanhoe.

Pyle's novel was first published by Scribner's in 1883, meeting with immediate success. It ushered in a new era of Robin Hood stories and helped increase the popularity of the Robin Hood legend in the United States. The novel also had a significant impact on children's literature, moving the Robin Hood legend into the realm of respected children's books.

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