Are You a Lionheart?

Little can be proven regarding the “real” Robin Hood, if there even was one.  Consistently throughout the ballads and folklore, dating back to the 14th century, however, according to Wikipedia, Robin Hood, was perhaps a Yeomen, and most likely a commoner.  In modern folklore, he stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

Universal Pictures’ new Russell Crowe action adventure, Robin Hood, The Untold Story of How the Man Became a Legend, is drawing on this mythology.  The story, as far as I can tell from the trailer, holds Robin Hood out as the heroic embodiment of the power and importance of the royal subject, as opposed to the importance of the sovereign power of the monarchy.  That is, the notion that power emanates from, and ultimately rests with the the common people and that the sovereign holds power only by consent of those multitudes.

As part of its marketing campaign for the movie, Universal is running a Lionhearts campaign.  In the campaign they are asking who among us is a Lionheart like Robin Hood.  They will  “reward individuals that participate in worthy causes” those that “dedicate their time to change the world” by awarding money to causes championed by the chosen lionhearts.

The message of Robin Hood, however, is not about any individual changemaker.  Robin Hood is not, and never can be, one man, one person, a single changemaker.  Robin Hood is the spirit of the common masses and the dominion of the multitudes; not a single lionheart but rather and spirit of lionheartedness among many.  IN OTHER WORDS, ROBIN HOOD AS A METAPHOR FOR THE POWER OF GRASS ROOTS ACTIVISM.

True change can only be brought about by Robin Hoodness, not by Robin Hood.  The Royal Subject, not the Monarch, must individually decide to be part of the collective power of change.

Personally I’m looking forward to the movie.  Maybe I’ll be inspired.  At the very least, I’ll be entertained; I’ve always liked Russell Crowe — I already count Master and Commander and Gladiator among my favorites.

I have submitted myself as a Lionheart.  I’m no more lionhearted than Russell Crowe is a Commoner (and I mean that in the nicest way possible Russell).  But, hey, maybe I can help raise awareness and funding for my cause.

How about you, are you a Lionheart?  Can your participation in a worthy cause change the world?  Give it a try, you never know.

Image courtesy of FreeFoto.com

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