Chapter: 09. Robin Hood And Maid Marian
Comprehension Answers
A. Fill in the blanks correctly.
Maid Marian dressed in a boy’s clothes with a blue hood to hide her hair. Sherwood Forest was between the castle of the Earl of Huntingdon and Lord Fitzwater’s castle. The outlaws of Sherwood Forest never took anything from women, poor people, or good yeomen. Friar Tuck was found by men dressed in green (or some men) who went to fetch him for Robin Hood. Robin Hood first asked Maid Marian (in disguise) to join his merry men. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“They stop the rich travellers in the forest and steal their money and belongings.” a. Who are ‘they’ referring to in this line? ‘They’ are referring to Robin Hood and his merry men, the outlaws of Sherwood Forest. b. What did these people do with the stolen money and belongings? They gave that money and belongings to the poor. c. Why was it important that they only stole from rich travelers? It was important because it showed they were not common thieves but sought to balance the scales of justice by taking from those who had too much (and possibly gained it unfairly) to help those who had nothing. “Boy! What are you doing?” a. Who said these words in the forest? The man, who was actually Robin Hood in disguise, said these words. b. Who was the ‘boy’ they were speaking to? The ‘boy’ they were speaking to was Maid Marian, who was disguised in boy’s clothes. c. What was the ‘boy’ trying to do when interrupted, and what happened to it? The ‘boy’ was trying to shoot a nice fat deer to eat. The deer was scared away by the loud voice. “I’m not afraid of any man who hides his face.” a. Who bravely said this line during the encounter? Maid Marian said this line. b. To whom were these challenging words spoken? These words were spoken to the hooded man, who was Robin Hood. c. What action did the speaker take immediately after making this statement? Immediately after, Marian dropped her bow and went towards him with her quarterstaff, ready to fight. C. Think and answer.
Why was Sherwood Forest an ideal place for Robin Hood and his merry men to live as outlaws? Think about the features of a forest and what outlaws would need. Sherwood Forest was an ideal place for outlaws because its dense trees and hidden paths provided excellent cover and hiding spots from the Sheriff’s men. It was also a good place to intercept rich travelers passing through. Additionally, the forest offered resources like game (deer) for food and wood for shelter, allowing them to survive independently while remaining out of sight from the authorities. If you were Maid Marian, would you have disguised yourself and gone into Sherwood Forest to find Robin Hood? Explain your reasons for yes or no. (Sample Yes Answer): Yes, I would have. Robin was my childhood friend, and hearing he was a good outlaw helping the poor would make me want to find him and ensure he was safe, or even join him. The disguise would be important for safety, as a lady traveling alone in a forest would be dangerous, but a “boy” might go unnoticed. My skills with a bow and quarterstaff, which Robin himself taught me, would give me confidence. (Sample No Answer): No, I might not have. Going into a dangerous forest where outlaws live, even if they are “good,” is very risky, especially when disguised and alone. My family might worry, and if caught, it could lead to severe punishment for me or my family. I might try to send a trusted messenger first, or find a safer way to get information about Robin’s whereabouts before risking my own safety. Imagine you are one of Robin Hood’s merry men. What three qualities would you value most in Robin as a leader, and why? 1. Fairness/Justice: I would value his commitment to justice, knowing he robs only the rich to help the poor. This means we are fighting for a good cause and not just for ourselves. 2. Skill/Bravery: His exceptional skill as a bowman and fighter, combined with his bravery, would make me feel safe and confident following him into dangerous situations. I’d trust him to lead us well in a fight. 3. Kindness/Compassion: His kindheartedness towards ordinary people assures me that he genuinely cares about our mission and the well-being of others, making him a leader worth risking my life for. Discuss how Robin Hood and Maid Marian’s actions reflect the idea of “social justice” in their time. Robin Hood and Maid Marian’s actions strongly reflect social justice because they directly challenged the unfair distribution of wealth and power during their era. They recognized that the Sheriff of Nottingham and other rich individuals were oppressing the poor and benefiting from their suffering. By stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, they were attempting to correct these injustices and ensure that basic needs were met for those who had nothing, even if it meant breaking the unjust laws of the land. Their actions were a protest against the systemic inequality and a practical way to provide for the vulnerable. 
Answer key