Robin Hood (BBC 2006 character)

:For the general character, see Robin Hood. For the Robin of Sherwood character, see Robin of Sherwood
 
Robin Hood or Robin of Locksley is the lead character in the BBC television series (2006–9) of Robin Hood, an incarnation of the Robin Hood legend. The show uses the Earl of Huntingdon origin story for the character. He is played by Jonas Armstrong.
==In Canon==
Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood or “Hood”) fought for King Richard in Acre, during the Third Crusade, together with his manservant Much whom Robin makes a free man after his return from the Holy Land. 
Not wishing to tolerate injustice, Robin openly defies Sheriff Vaisey and saves the peasants from hanging. Robin loses his lands, house and title and is outlawed, becoming the people of Nottinghamshire's only hope and starting the gang of outlaws in Sherwood. 
Robin Hood is the main protagonist on the show. Robin creates the precedent by becoming the first noble who publicly opposes tyranny in England by robbing the rich and helping those in need and trouble. On the show, Robin is shown as both the people’s hero and the King’s man who is staunchly loyal to King Richard after his return from the Crusade. Robin and his gang fight with Sheriff Vaisey and the Black Knights who are actively plotting to assassinate King Richard and make Prince John the next King of England. 
Robin Hood is in love with Marian of Knighton (Marian Fitzwalter or "Maz"), his childhood sweetheart. He is surprised that she is still unmarried after his return. In S1, Marian is hostile and aloof to him because Robin left for the Holy Land and she felt he abandoned her. Robin tries to charm Marian and flirts with her, but she usually rejects him. In S2, they are more affectionate with each other. In S2 Finale, Robin marries Marian when she is dying, stabbed by Guy of Gisborne after her confession in her love for Robin Hood.
Robin is an exceptionally selfless and altruistic person who always puts other people's needs before his own, willing to risk his own life if he needs to save his friends and other people. He is clever, mischievous, conniving, heroic, and undaunted by authority, always ready to stand up to people of higher status if necessary. Robin sees the world either in black or white colors, he possesses a strong sense of idealism, but when this image was shattered he could become reckless and neurotic. 
Robin is very loyal to his friends, King Richard, and Marian. Loyalty seems to be in Robin’s blood. Robin remains loyal to King Richard even after Richard accuses him of alleged treason and orders to have Robin and the outlaws executed in S2 Finale, because he knows that Sheriff Vaisey "spun him a story" and that it wasn't the King's fault. At times, Robin’s unconditional loyalty to the King prompts him to show some dark traits when faced with treachery: Robin is even willing to use torture on Guy of Gisborne after discovering the wolf’s head tattoo on Guy’s forearm that proves that Guy attempted to assassinate King Richard in the Holy Land.
==In Fandom==
There are many fans of Robin Hood, some of them love Robin and are passionately devoted to his heroics. But some people consider Robin Hood in BBC’s interpretation an arrogant and spoiled brat, a glory-hunter and a womanizer. Many fans of Robin think that those who dislike Robin don’t understand his true character: according to Amaranthe Athenais, "Robin is a very difficult character to analyze as the hero is always keeping his true emotions to himself, covers his insecurities with a mask of a cheeky rogue, and prefers to seem invincible and insufferable to others."
Most fans of Robin consider him a complex character with many different layers of personality. While being a kind-hearted, brave, honest, self-sacrificing, and altruistic man, Robin is “not all good”. He can be rather unkind and cruel towards those whom love him and whom he loves. Robin can be rather callous towards Much when he is frustrated and vulnerable, like it happens in S1E13 (A Clue: No) when Much finds Robin on the hill overlooking the village of Locksley and Robin, devastated in the light of Marian’s marriage to Guy, rudely sends him away. But generally, Robin is very charitable towards other people in the sense of wanting to help them and thinking the best of them, except when they have disappointed and betrayed him and especially when he thinks those people are being driven by greed and/or material self-interest. Fans of Robin always dig deeply into the life and thoughts of the hero, analyzing the effect of the holy war on Robin and the inner darkness in him. 
Those fans who like or love Robin will never say that he is a simple character. Some even say that Robin’s character is even more conflicted than Guy’s because Robin’s conflicts are the conflict of loyalties to England, the King, the people, and Marian, as well as the conflict between his the high ideals and noble ideas he wants to realize and the things he can achieve in harsh reality. Fans of Robin may call Robin “a fascinating and human flawed hero”. Most fair and rather widespread piece of fanon is portraying Robin as a flawed hero not putting him on a high pedestal. 
Some who dislike Robin often defend Guy and say that Guy is a more interesting and complicated character than Robin. Nevertheless, Robin and Guy have different character arcs and each of them is interesting and original in their own ways. Such categorical statements about Robin and Guy led to Ship Wars and bashing of Robin Hood.
==Fannish Responses==
==Robin vs. Guy==
Posts on various forums sometimes concentrate on the differences between Guy and Robin and attempt to explain why one is a better character than the other. It is often said that Guy is a better character because Guy grows, learns from his mistakes, and finally changes himself, becoming a better man in S3. It is stated that Robin doesn’t grow in contrast to Guy and that Robin makes no progress toward correcting his flaws, remaining essentially the same throughout the show, never correcting his flaws (vanity, ego, arrogance). Some people even say that Robin regresses by largely giving up on his initial policy to avoid killing. However, other fans disagree with this interpretation of Robin's character development.
==Pairings==
In the majority of fanfiction, Robin Hood is paired with Marian (Robin/Marian) in het, mostly in life if Marian survives her mortal wound in S2 Finale or if she is not stabbed by Guy. Often Marian and Robin are shipped in death, including in the tragic S2 Finale or after Robin’s untimely death in S3 Finale.
Sometimes Robin is paired with Guy of Gisborne and with Much, his former manservant, in slash. The threesome is also sometimes written. Guy/Robin spans the spectrum from darkfic to domestic bliss in the Forest. 
There are certain good fictions in which Robin is paired with Isabella of Gisborne and some interesting and fascinating OFCs, including Robin in an arranged political marriage, but there are a few stories giving Robin this storyline. Other pairings are rare, but partners include his little-liked S3 love interest Kate.
==Example Fanworks==
===Fanfiction===
Some Robin-centric fictions set in the pre-S1
*A Birthday for Robin by muchbeddled – It’s set in the pre-S1. Queen Eleanor brings 12-year-old Prince John to Locksley for Robin's tenth birthday.
*The Fruits of May by Glorious Clio – It’s set in the pre-S1. The tale about a particular day in May which makes a beautiful memory for Robin and Marian.
*Fav Become the Stars by railise – It’s set in the pre-S1. Five-year-old Robin's father comforts him following the death of his mother.
*Purpose by Kegel – It’s set in the pre-S1. While Robin is recovering in the Holy Land, he receives a gift.
*Come Home by Lady Marianne – It’s set in the pre-S1. Four years after Robin left for the Holy Land, Marian receives word from him.
*Battles And Scars by Amaranthe Athenais – It's set in the pre-series. It’s about a usual night, one of many nights, Robin spends near the walls of besieged Acre.
*Killing Fields by lotusflower85 – The fiction about Robin’s life in the Holy Land. Robin justifies the holy war until he becomes the man who has to give the orders.
*Killing For Nothing by exotic little bird – It’s set in pre-S1. Robin has to participate in the massacre of three thousand prisoners taken hostage by King Richard after the capture of Acre. He is not happy, and he considers it killing for nothing. 
*Robin and the Pirates by muchbeddled – It’s set in pre-S1. Many legends tell of Robin fighting pirates on his journey home from Acre. This is the author’s version.
*The King's favorite and the masked Saracen by exotic little bird – It’s set in pre-S1. Robin is almost mortally wounded by the masked Saracen in the regicide attempt on King Richard's life in Acre. In reality, the masked Saracen is Guy of Gisborne. They fight and Guy fails to flee because he is gravely injured by Robin. 
Some Robin-centric fictions
*It's Not Over by jadey36 – Robin has returned from the Crusades to find that Guy of Gisborne has taken his place as Lord of Locksley. And that's not all he finds.
*It's Not Easy by Emmithar – It’s set somewhere in S1. When Much disappears, Robin takes it upon himself to find his friend. Meanwhile, Marian faces the hangman's noose when her dealings with the outlaws is discovered, forcing Gisborne to take desperate measures.
*Different Directions by Emmithar – Complete AU. Robin suddenly finds himself in a different world, a twist of time, in where he didn’t travel the Holy Land. He discovers that Marian is alive and is his wife, but King Richard is dead and Nottingham is far worse than he had ever imagined.
*Out Of The Distance by Kegel – It’s set somewhere in S2. An encounter in the forest takes Robin away from his gang and the way back is not easy. Will serious mistakes lead Robin to make a last, fatal decision?
*Affirmation by Kegel – It’s set somewhere in S2. After an ambush the outlaws make an unpleasant discovery. While trying to deal with the consequences, an injury of a single man leads on a path of disaster for all of them.
*Better Days Will Come by Kegel – It’s set in the mid-S2. An unexpected offer give Robin new opportunities in his fight for both his people and country. It also brings new dilemmas, as he and the gang have to make hard choices to find their way when conflicts come to a head.
*Everything Is A Choice by jadey36 – AU after S2 Finale. Marian is dead, and Robin wants revenge on Guy for killing Marian. But then events take an unexpected turn.
*Never Surrender by Morgan – S1 AU. Marian marries Guy in S1E13 (A Clue: no) Robin is called back to the Holy Land by King Richard, paying for Marian’s choice.
*Broken Arrow by alesh101 – It’s set after S2 Finale. Robin, now a broken man, broods in Acre after Marian's death.
*Valiant Splinters by Zaedah – It’s set somewhere in S1 or S2. A great look at the mind and behavior of the dark Robin damaged by the war in the Holy Land
*The War at Home by Zaedah – King Richard returns to England and there is no trip to Acre. The tale about the toll the war had taken on Robin is told from Marian’s POV. 
*Deserving by Jammeke – It’s set in S3. Maybe keeping Kate away from Much counted as a selfless act after all.
*Learning to Love by Jammeke – It’s set in S3. Robin remembers Marian, the love of his life, and is brooding over his relationships with Isabella and Kate. 
Recommended Robin/Marian fictions
*Marian Through the Looking Glass by JAGNikJen – an epic Robin/Marian fic, quite popular among fans. Marian is thrown from her horse and finds herself in a situation she never could have ever imagined. 
*The Moment of Truth by Shadow Chaser – S2 AU with Robin/Marian and canon pairings. There is no trip to Acre in S2 Finale as King Richard returns to England and Robin and his gang must save their King.
*A Legend Never Dies by Jammeke – Robin lifted his eyes to look at her. "They think I am a fox," he said slowly. " Robin & Marian short funny vignettes.
*A Year and a Day by Glorious Clio – S2 AU starting from S2E10 (Walkabout). Marian is tired of being a pawn, and Robin is tired of waiting. Marian joins Robin in the forest.
*The Final Tale by Jammeke – The story ignores the events of S3 Finale. Other than that the events are based on the canon. Robin/Marian, Robin/Kate.
*Best Laid Plans by JAGNikJen – Robin and Marian plan to spend the day together. Thunder, lightning, and sex ensues. Mostly a PWP concept.
*Paper Confessional by Zaedah – It’s set somewhere in S1 or S2. Until she’d handed over the letter, there was always the opportunity to recant the words.
*Twelfth Night by muchbeddled – It’s set somewhere in pre-S1. Very interesting tale about Marian’s life in Nottingham and Robin’s adventures in the Holy Land.
*You Must Have Had Suitors by muchbeddled – The fiction is set in pre-S1. Tales of some of Marian's suitors and Robin's adventures while he was in the Holy Land. Final chapter written by FireSpring Roses.
*The Longest Time by Kegel – S2 AU after S2E10 (Lardner’s ring). When King Richard finally returned, Robin and the outlaws had to notice that things didn't turn out as they had always thought in the back of their minds.
*Shattered Dreams by Amaranthe Athenais – It's set in the pre-series. Robin informs Marian about his decision to fight in the Holy Land for King Richard and England.
*Aylesbury Ambushed! by muchbeddled – The fiction is set somewhere in S1. Former suitor of Marian, wimpy Martin of Aylesbury, is ambushed by Robin's gang in Sherwood. Sequel to You Must Have Had Suitors.
*Committed by muchbeddled – After the siege of Nottingham by Prince John's army, Marian gives herself to Robin and now they even more committed to one another.
*Heart Of The Matter by jadey36 – Robin returned from the Crusades, hoping to take up where he left off with Marian. Guy is also determined to woo her, and a mischief-maker on the loose, intent on causing trouble for the young couple.
*Neither Timid nor Tame by bittersweetbetweenmyteeth – Vignettes featuring Marian & Robin, at various points in the series, starting at S1E13 (A Clue: No) and continuing on. Mostly romance, a little angst. 
Recommended Robin/OFC fictions
*Quintessence Of Life: Mysteries of The Past by Amaranthe Athenais – Guy/Marian, Robin/Marian, Robin/OFC AU starting from S2E10 (Walkabout), part one of the long epic (trilogy). The novel has an exclusive and original plot that is largely focused on the triangle Robin/King Richard/Guy (no slash, just the triangle about the mysterious relationships of the past), and Marian is not killed by Guy in a jealous rage. It’s a great novel, and it’s popular among fans.
*Quintessence Of Life: Mysteries Unveiled by Amaranthe Athenais – Guy/Marian, Guy/Meg, Robin/Marian, Robin/OFC AU starting from S2E10 (Walkabout), part two of the long epic (trilogy). The novel has an exclusive and original plot that is largely focused on the triangle Robin/King Richard/Guy (no slash, just the triangle about the mysterious relationships of the past). Marian is not killed by Guy in a jealous rage: someone else is mortally wounded by Vaisey. It’s a great novel, and it’s popular among fans.
*Betrayal by HiddenAmongShadows – Robin/OC story with the interesting plotline as both King Richard and Marian are dead after the events of S2 Finale.
*The Hatred I Feel by Ditzybea – S3 AU, Guy/OFC, Robin/OFC fiction. After the death of Marian, a visitor comes back to Nottingham after a 5 year absence, and maybe she is just what Robin needs for his revenge. But does this visitor have an entirely different agenda? 
Recommended Robin/Isabella fictions
*Rewind, Start Again by Sandrine Shaw – S3 AU starting from S3E6 (Do You Love Me?). Guy realizes that everyone chooses their own path. Isabella is in a relationship with Robin Hood.
*All Nature Seems To Weary Now by Sandrine Shaw – It’s set in S3. A little fill-in scene between S3E6 (Do You Love Me?) and S3E7 (Too Hot to Handle) developing Robin and Isabella's relationship.
*That Dizzy Edge by Antilochus – It’s set in S3. Robin intrigues; Isabella flirts. A pair of scenes of sunshine for two lovers.
S2 and S3 Finale AUs
*Inevitability by TheSingingGirl – S2 Finale AU, Marian is not killed by Guy. She is only seriously wounded in her stomach and survives. Marian and Robin marry.
*Husbanding England by Glorious Clio – S2 Finale AU. Marian is not murdered by Guy. Instead, Robin and Guy have a last fight in the courtyard. 
*Condemnation by Emmithar – the original S2 Finale AU. Marian is wounded by Guy but she survives, Robin is taken captive by the King’s men as a high traitor. 
*Robin Hood Season 2 Alternate Ending by SaraBethie – S2 Finale AU, Marian is seriously wounded but not killed by Guy. 
*Price Of Loyalty by Amaranthe Athenais – the new tragic S2 Finale AU, popular among fans. The trip to Acre to save King Richard ends in the most unexpected way.
*Lost Illusions by Amaranthe Athenais – the new dramatic S2 Finale AU, popular among fans. The journey to Acre ends with the necessity to face harsh reality instead of daydreams.
*Love is in the Greenwood by lotusflower85 – S2 Finale AU, Marian is not killed by Guy as Carter saves the King and Marian from Guy. Robin and Marian marry in Acre.
*The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly by muchbeddled – Takes place near the end of S2, when Marian, secretly pregnant with Robin's child, travels as a prisoner to the Holy Land with the sheriff and Gisborne.
*Trust in Blood by SophieSaulie – S3 Finale AU. There is no battle in the tunnel because Guy discovers Sheriff in the forest before the siege of Nottingham. 
*Surviving The Bloodbath by exotic little bird – S3 Finale AU. Robin is wounded by Isabella's poison-tipped dagger. Guy survives the bloodbath in Nottingham. But is everything as tragic as it seems?
Robin/Marian S3 AU fictions
*The Force of Destiny by railise – S3 AU with Robin/Marian and canon pairings. In Acre, Marian survives thanks to a timely arrow from Robin that hits Guy in the arm. Everyone returns to England to await the King's arrival. Guy eventually turns against the Sheriff and joins forces with Robin
*Robin Hood, Season 3 AU by SaraBethie – Robin/Marian S3 AU. A new take on Robin Hood Season 3. After Marian and Carter's recoveries in the Holy Land, the gang makes their way back to England.
*A Life Less Ordinary by lotusflower85 – Robin/Marian S3 AU, quite popular among fans. Marian is mortally wounded by Guy but she survives her and later returns to England. 
*Sins of the Heart by sunnyday30 – Robin/Marian S3 AU. Marian had married Guy in S2E13 (We Are Robin Hood), thinking that Robin was dead. Then everyone returns to England, and Marian discovers that Robin survived his trip to Acre and also returned home.
*We Are Robin Hood by Lady Marianne – Robin/Marian S3 AU. At the end of Season 2, Marian doesn't try to kill the Sheriff and consequently is never taken to the Holy Land. Robin and the gang travel to Acre to save the King, but not everything ends as they plan.
*Quadrilateral by lotusflower85 – S3 AU after "Enemy of my Enemy". Marian returns to Sherwood, alive, to find Robin in a relationship with Kate, Guy as a member of the gang, and Isabella as Sheriff.
*The Return of the King by muchbeddled – Marian/Robin S3 AU. Marian survived and is married to Robin. Gisborne wants revenge. King Richard finally returned to England.
Slash fictions
*Justice by dreamlittleyo – Guy/Robin, with a darker Robin than usual
*I have always loved you by zero4life – Guy/Robin. Guy is forced to face and admit the feelings he so desperately tried to forget
*Marriage Bed by orphan_account – when Guy said he would think about Robin when taking Marion to the marriage bed, Robin didn't think he meant it like this.
*Images Of Broken Light by hariboo-smirks – Robin/Much, with a hint on slash, a little darker view on their friendship in the Holy Land
*Unexpected Allies by Small_Hobbit – unusual slash pairing Guy/Much after Much is captured by Guy’s guards and brought to the dungeons 
Threesomes
*The Choice Not to Choose by Sandrine Shaw – S2 AU with Guy/Marian/Robin
Gen
*Caught In Your Way by Jammeke – one-shot Robin & Guy adventure, set after an AU S3 finale
===Fanvids===
*Travel Well by Jesuit24 – retrospective in Robin's PoV, framed in S3 finale
*Robin Hood & Marian great video by snowbrow85's channel – an epic video about Robin and Marian and their struggle to be together
*Sleep Well My Angel by Adi – beautiful video about Robin and Marian’s love story
*My Immortal – Robin & Marian by alwyssmi7 – beautiful and romantic video about Robin and Marian and the difficulties in their relationship 
*Robin & Marian-what hurts the most by foxyladyRMS – beautiful and tragic video about Robin and Marian, a tribute to Marian
*I Am Robin Hood by Legendary Dreamer – an epic video of Robin Hood and his adventures
*Do You Love Me? by Legendary Dreamer – an epic fan made vid of Robin Hood, funny and lovely
===Meta===
*Robin Hood, a Hero or Loser for our times? – Robin Hood on what kind of a hero was Robin Hood in the RH BBC show. 
*Lucy Griffiths tribute: Marian R.I.P. – Robin Hood about Marian’s relationship with Robin and her death.
*Interview with Robin Hood – interview with Jonas Armstrong, the starring handsome lead actor in the Robin Hood BBC show
==Achieves==
*Fanfiction tagged Robin of Locksley/Robin Hood at AO3
*Fanfiction tagged Robin of Locksley/Robin Hood at ff.net
*Fanfiction tagged Robin of Locksley/Robin Hood at The Robin Hood Fan Fiction Archive
*Jonas Armstrong Images – Jonas Armstrong fan art at fanpop.com
*Armstrong Blog – Jonas Armstrong fan art at Jonas Armstrong Blog
==Communities==
*robinsociety – general LJ
*bbc-robinmarian – Robin/Marian LJ
*robinxisabella – Robin/Isabella LJ
*robinkate – Robin/Kate LJ
*Jonas Armstrong Fansite - Armstrong Angels – a great fan site devoted to the Robin Hood star
*Jonas Armstrong Fansite – German fansite site devoted to the Robin Hood star
==References==
Category:Robin Hood (BBC)