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Quiz about The Many Faces of Robin Hood
Quiz about The Many Faces of Robin Hood

The Many Faces of Robin Hood Trivia Quiz


Robin Hood has been a hero of popular culture for centuries. Throughout folklore, literature, and more modern formats, Robin Hood has had many adaptations and reincarnations. Here are just ten of them.

A multiple-choice quiz by lordprescott. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
lordprescott
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
410,379
Updated
Mar 08 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
250
Last 3 plays: Sharky2 (7/10), Guest 184 (7/10), Guest 107 (4/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Robin Hood, a hero of English folklore, was first referenced in literature in the late 14th century. In which famous poem, in which the narrator dreams of an ideal life, did Robin Hood make his first literary bow? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Perhaps Robin Hood's most well-known characteristic was first mentioned in the historical text "Annales of England" by John Stow, written in 1592. Which of Robin Hood's characteristics did this source record? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Robin Hood quickly became popular in other areas of culture, as well. For which traditional English festival did a local man dress as Robin Hood and preside over festivities? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Robin Hood was so common and popular a figure as to be mentioned in three plays by William Shakespeare. Which of these Shakespeare plays did Robin Hood's name NOT appear in? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Howard Pyle's "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" popularized this legendary character for a new generation when it was published. In what year did this new reincarnation of Robin Hood appear? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Silent films starring Robin Hood made their appearance as far back as 1908, when the short "Robin Hood and his Merry Men" was released. Only one full-length silent film was made about Robin Hood, however, starring which well-known actor and filmmaker, after whom the film was actually named? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In 1938, Hollywood released the classic "The Adventures of Robin Hood", setting the standard for most depictions of Robin Hood. Which famous actor was the face of Robin Hood in this film? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Walt Disney retold the tale of Robin Hood in 1973 with an animated feature-film. Things were a little bit different, however: all the characters were animals! Which sly animal was Robin Hood portrayed as? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Robin Hood has also seen his share of parodies. Which 1993 film starring Cary Elwes parodied the whole concept of Robin Hood? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Many, many television series over the years have featured Robin Hood. Which of these series has he not appeared in? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 06 2024 : Sharky2: 7/10
Feb 24 2024 : Guest 184: 7/10
Feb 20 2024 : Guest 107: 4/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Robin Hood, a hero of English folklore, was first referenced in literature in the late 14th century. In which famous poem, in which the narrator dreams of an ideal life, did Robin Hood make his first literary bow?

Answer: Piers Plowman

"Piers Plowman", also known as "Visio Willelmi de Petro Ploughman", was written by William Langland possibly between 1370 and 1386. In it, the narrator ("William") dreams of a quest for the true Christian life, including Piers Plowman, "a people's Christ". It is in this poem that the legend of Robin Hood is first referenced.

After this first mention, several other mentions of Robin Hood begin to appear, including one from the late 14th century in which he is featured in the proverb "many men speak of Robin Hood and never shot his bow". The first actual record of Robin Hood's legend, however, comes from the late 15th or early 16th century. Although Friar Tuck and Maid Marion are not yet mentioned in these stories, many other familiar faces in Robin Hood's legends, such as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Little John, play prominent roles. The earliest of these written legends that still survives is the story "Robin Hood and the Monk", written sometime after 1450.
2. Perhaps Robin Hood's most well-known characteristic was first mentioned in the historical text "Annales of England" by John Stow, written in 1592. Which of Robin Hood's characteristics did this source record?

Answer: He robs from the rich to give to the poor

John Stow's "Annales of England" was the first explicit mention of this trait of Robin Hood's. Previous records had made mention of Robin Hood's giving to others on occasion, such as in "A Gest of Robyn Hode", which sums it up well:
"he was a good outlawe,
And dyde pore men moch god".
None of the original ballads of Robin Hood mention him doing so, however.
3. Robin Hood quickly became popular in other areas of culture, as well. For which traditional English festival did a local man dress as Robin Hood and preside over festivities?

Answer: May Day

Robin Hood became associated with May Day festivities by at least the late 1400s, if not before. May Day, which traces its roots back to pre-Christian celebrations, often involved dancing and other activities. By at least the 1490s, local men would dress as Robin Hood, and sometimes members of his Merry Men, and lead the revels. Robin Hood plays were also begun about this time, and were linked to the festivities.

Robin Hood at May Day gradually disappeared from English culture, but it was still popular in the late 1500s.
4. Robin Hood was so common and popular a figure as to be mentioned in three plays by William Shakespeare. Which of these Shakespeare plays did Robin Hood's name NOT appear in?

Answer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

In "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "As You Like It", Robin Hood gets a passing mention, showing that his was a household name. An unnamed Robin Hood ballad is sung in "Henry IV, part II". No mention of him is made in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", but Maid Marion gets a passing, if derogatory, mention in "Henry IV, part I".

Shakespeare wasn't the only playwright of his time to mention Robin Hood in his plays. Among others, Ben Johnson turned his pen to writing about Robin Hood; he wrote "The Sad Shepherd, or a Tale of Robin Hood", which was unfinished at the time of his death in 1637.
5. Howard Pyle's "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" popularized this legendary character for a new generation when it was published. In what year did this new reincarnation of Robin Hood appear?

Answer: 1883

"The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" was written primarily for children; the character of Robin Hood had become more of a children's figure by that time. The book firmly cemented many ideas about Robin Hood, such as his mission to aid of the poor. Pyle combined all popular fables about Robin Hood, such as his beginnings as an outlaw and his staff fight with Little John, into a single children's book.

"The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" has had much influence on later reincarnations of Robin Hood in popular culture, and the character that we know and recognize today.
6. Silent films starring Robin Hood made their appearance as far back as 1908, when the short "Robin Hood and his Merry Men" was released. Only one full-length silent film was made about Robin Hood, however, starring which well-known actor and filmmaker, after whom the film was actually named?

Answer: Douglas Fairbanks

"Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood" was the official name of the only full-length silent Robin Hood Film, released in 1922. It was also the first Hollywood film to have an official premiere!

The film's plot depicts Fairbanks as the Earl of Huntingdon, who assumes the name of Robin Hood following his return from the Crusades. Although he is captured by the end of the film, King Richard I's appearance aids in his release and his winning the hand of Lady Marion Fitzwater (Maid Marion).
7. In 1938, Hollywood released the classic "The Adventures of Robin Hood", setting the standard for most depictions of Robin Hood. Which famous actor was the face of Robin Hood in this film?

Answer: Errol Flynn

"The Adventures of Robin Hood" starred Errol Flynn, the classic Hollywood swashbuckling actor. Also starring were Olivia De Havilland as Maid Marion and Basil Rathbone as Guy of Gisborne, as well as Claude Rains as Prince John.

The film followed the relatively recent suggestions that Robin Hood had been politically involved, first as a knight serving under King Richard I and then as an outlaw who sought to help the King back onto the throne that was being usurped by Prince John.
8. Walt Disney retold the tale of Robin Hood in 1973 with an animated feature-film. Things were a little bit different, however: all the characters were animals! Which sly animal was Robin Hood portrayed as?

Answer: Fox

Disney had already made a live-action film about Robin Hood in 1952 called "The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men", starring Richard Todd. They had been considering making a film about the classic trickster Renard the Fox, but soon turned the story into a retelling of Robin Hood.

Narrated by Roger Miller as Alan-a-Dale (a rooster), the film goes through the classic story line featuring Robin Hood's attempt to secure the English throne for King Richard I. Brian Bedford played the voice of Robin Hood, while Peter Ustinov was Prince John.
9. Robin Hood has also seen his share of parodies. Which 1993 film starring Cary Elwes parodied the whole concept of Robin Hood?

Answer: Robin Hood: Men in Tights

"Robin Hood: Men in Tights" was a Mel Brooks film. Its tagline was "The Legend Had it Coming..." Parodying both the 1938 Errol Flynn film and the 1991 Kevin Kostner film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", it also featured Patrick Stewart parodying the 1976 film "Robin and Marian" starring Sean Connery.

Although "Princess of Thieves" was also made, starring Keira Knightley, "Those Merry, Merry Men" is just a figment of my imagination.
10. Many, many television series over the years have featured Robin Hood. Which of these series has he not appeared in?

Answer: A Touch of Frost

Yes, all of these shows but "A Touch of Frost" featured Robin Hood in one way or another. Other television shows to feature or reference Robin Hood include "Charmed", "The Muppet Show", "The Time Tunnel", and "Doctor Who".

Robin Hood has had so many different faces over the years; sadly, I could only include 10 of them. Maybe another 10 will see their own quiz some day!
Source: Author lordprescott

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
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