Ambiguous Morality

The theme of ambiguous morality is seen again and again throughout the novel as characters make choices that they believe are morally right but yet, can be construed as evil to many others. The first example of this is when Robin spares the boy in Acre after the boy tries to stab him. Robin spars the boy in the hopes that "a little kindness might change that boy's mind" and keep him from trying to kill anyone else (50). He does this even though he knows that if he had killed the boy, "that's one less enemy to worry about in ten years" (49). While this may seem like the correct and merciful decision, it also has consequences as later on in the novel, Robin finds out that the Earl of Derby, William de Ferrers, has been killed by a young boy who stabbed him. Robin tries...