THESIS STATEMENTAlthough slightly factual in a historical context, the legends of Robin Hood have captivated the imaginations of young and old alike through the charming stories about the characters of Sherwood Forest.PURPOSE STATEMENTThrough critical analysis and research regarding the legends and characters surrounding Robin Hood, this article will present the theme of social justice for the common man as purported by the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest. INTRODUCTION The story of Robin Hood has become one of the greatest legends of all time. and fascinated the minds of all who heard of it. The stories surrounding Robin Hood and his adventures took place in the forests of Sherwood and Barnsdale dating back to the 15th century. The first question that comes to mind when talking about this legend is who was the real Robin Hood? Surprisingly, speculation on this issue still exists today and the story has survived over seven hundred years. Now the real question must be why is this “Robin Hood” such a haunting subject? Since there is so much controversy over the real Robin Hood, he is essentially a fictional character. He has now adapted as a man in cinema where each director has a different vision of who he could have been. Their vision was generally that of a heroic character, although he could have more easily been seen as a villain for what he did for a living. “…Robin's image as a clever and light-hearted prankster grew stronger. The tales in which he appeared as a highwayman and murderer have been forgotten or rewritten” (Wickersham 12). We have reached a point where now every child has a heroic vision of Robin Hood while the first ballads and oral passages...... middle of paper ......that. There's an explanation for why historians have obsessed over Robin Hood and it's not just about whether there was ever a man who lived up to such surreal standards. He is a legend and loved by all for a reason: he was not afraid to stand up and fight for what he believed in. His message to the law and what we learn from his legend are clear. “It is a warning that injustice cannot be tolerated simply because it is part of the system, because the anger that such injustice ultimately arouses is not contained.” (Live 218). Robin Hood was motivated to fight against those he believed to be unworthy, and in doing so, he ended up defending the common man. This was his legacy in what he saw as a noble quest for social justice. Real or imaginary, Robin Hood will continue to captivate the minds of all readers and his legend will never die.