Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Little John and the Red Friar; A Lay of Sherwood" by William Edmonstoune Aytoun written in 1851 is a lengthy narrative poem that takes its cue from the traditional tales of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. In this case, however, the focus shifts to Little John, a core member of Robin's band, and his encounter with a Red Friar, also known as the Prior of Copmanshurst and Bishop of London.

The poem is broken down into two sections, called "Fytte the First" and "Fytte the Second," each of which is a division of a long narrative poem, similar to a canto in Italian literature. This form, often used in medieval ballads and poetry, gives the story a sense of being part of an epic or significant tale.

In the first part, we find that Robin is dead and his band of merry men has broken up. Little John, now the apparent leader of what's left of the group, takes issue with the Prior of Copmanshurst trespassing in Sherwood. Upon hearing of the friar's arrogance, Little John becomes determined to teach him a lesson. Despite the warnings of Charlie Wood, one of his men, Little John sets out alone to confront the friar.

In the second part, the confrontation between Little John and the Red Friar takes place. Their conflict escalates into a fight that ends with Little John's defeat. It becomes apparent that the friar has his own supporters, and he is not as helpless as Little John initially thought. The final verses see Little John offering some form of truce, but the friar remains unyielding, leading Little John to resort to sarcasm and indirect threats.

Throughout the poem, Aytoun uses language and references typical of Robin Hood tales and other medieval English ballads. The characters, their language, and their circumstances are consistent with those we find in traditional stories about these figures.

Aytoun's poem is both an adventure story and a social commentary. The Red Friar, with his connections to the religious authority (he brings a rope from the Pope, meant symbolically to bring the outlaws down), represents institutional power and corruption, which Robin Hood's band traditionally resists. Little John, despite his defeat, remains true to the band's spirit of defiance.

Ultimately, the poem presents a nostalgic view of Sherwood's past glory days when Robin Hood was alive. Aytoun seems to lament the passing of an era where the resistance against unjust power structures was vibrant and successful. The ending line, "But, Lordlings, say -- Is Sherwood now What Sherwood once hath been?" acts as a poignant reflection on the change of times and a call for introspection.

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