The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is narrated by a genial, imaginary speaker who leads the reader through the land of Fancy and down the metaphorical road of Robin's life. The narrator pulls the episodes together by means of foreshadowing and summary statements, offers droll comments on the action, and draws subtle thematic conclusions about the moral implications of the merry adventures. This minstrel-narrator makes a congenial traveling companion, one the reader remains comfortable with throughout the long journey.

Robin Hood is the sun around whom all the characters revolve. As a rash youth, he is outlawed for killing a man.

Although he commits this act essentially in self-defense, the initial antagonism is caused by Robin's youthful pride. Once outlawed, however, Robin grows into a responsible leader of his band. Quick to laugh, even at his own expense, Robin is a trickster addicted to sport and...