Robin Goodfellow has always been a conflicting figure, one of both mischief and sometimes destructive malice as well as cheerful goodwill and unlooked for assistance. This dual nature is what makes Robin so useful as a figure of folklore, being adaptable to the requirements of the narrative.
Robin is often portrayed as a fairie creature with a surprising amount of power over those living in the mortal realm, though this is often contrasted with his diminutive size and whimsical disposition, again in keeping with the dual nature of this character. Unwary travelers think they are dealing with a small wood sprite and instead find themselves at the mercy of Robin's harsh judgement.
Robin Goodfellow is at the same time a champion of the downtrodden and one who sees the overbearing and privilege of the wealthy and powerful. At other times, he is merely mischievous and will play pranks on the lone traveler for his own amusement, though often with a moral lesson about being overconfident, puffed up with pride, and not taking appropriate care in potentially dangerous situations.
The first is the concept of the house-elf or the hob-goblin - Hob in this case referring to the hearth. This is the fairie who lives in the house along with its human residents, often unseen, sometimes stealing their scissors or eating an apple and leaving the core, but at other times completing arduous tasks overnight such as carding their wool, washing the dishes, or as in the case of the elves and the shoemaker, sewing pairs of shoes. Their services can be bought with a bowl of cream left out on the table. If, however, the elves are offended in some way through neglect or disregard, such as forgetting to feed them, attempting to see them when they wish to remain unnoticed, or through some other, often irrational method such as asking them to wear clothes, they could become angry and cause destruction in the house, and ultimately leave.
The second concept is that of the Woodwose or wild man, a figure that inhabits forests and other wild places, depicted as entirely hairy and sometimes with goat legs as a faun or satyr. The wild man is a master of animals and of the forest, alternately guiding and vexing travelers and hunters, the latter of whom have grown wary and respectful of him. This concept is in some way related to the Green Man.
The third concept is that of a master of Fairie, one who can circle the earth in the blink of an eye, cross between our world and the Outside or Other world. As a Puck, he can be a figure of destruction, a demon, a lord of the fairie realm or a jester at the fairie court. In this guise he metes out judgement to the arrogant and evil.
This medieval incorporation of three previous characters or elements out of folklore also leads onward into a later character, that of Robin Hood. Robin Hood shares the characteristics of Goodfellow's persona both as an unseen elf, as a wild man of the woods, but also the tradition of passing judgement on the haughty and being a benefactor to the poor.
See also, Jack Frost
Robin is often portrayed as a fairie creature with a surprising amount of power over those living in the mortal realm, though this is often contrasted with his diminutive size and whimsical disposition, again in keeping with the dual nature of this character. Unwary travelers think they are dealing with a small wood sprite and instead find themselves at the mercy of Robin's harsh judgement.
One 16th century expression for being lost was, "Robin Goodfellow has been with you tonight." link
Robin Goodfellow is at the same time a champion of the downtrodden and one who sees the overbearing and privilege of the wealthy and powerful. At other times, he is merely mischievous and will play pranks on the lone traveler for his own amusement, though often with a moral lesson about being overconfident, puffed up with pride, and not taking appropriate care in potentially dangerous situations.
"But in truth, if they had free power to put in practice their malicious desire, we should find these pranks of theirs, not to be jests, but earnest indeed, tending to the destruction of both our body and soul, but as I told you before, this power of theirs is so restrained and tied, that they can pass no farther than to jests and gawdes: and if they do any harm or hurt at all, it is certain very little, as by experience we daily see." Lewes Lewkenor's translation of The Spanish Mandevile of Miracles, or, The Garden of Curious Flowers (1600) a translation of Antonio de Torquemada's, Jardin Flores Curiosas.Within the character of Robin Goodfellow, three different traditions become intertwined. As with many folklore elements, the core concept changes and develops over time. I believe that these were three distinct traditions with different origins that became mingled over time into the single medieval character that Shakespeare wrote in Midsummer Night's Dream in 1595.
The first is the concept of the house-elf or the hob-goblin - Hob in this case referring to the hearth. This is the fairie who lives in the house along with its human residents, often unseen, sometimes stealing their scissors or eating an apple and leaving the core, but at other times completing arduous tasks overnight such as carding their wool, washing the dishes, or as in the case of the elves and the shoemaker, sewing pairs of shoes. Their services can be bought with a bowl of cream left out on the table. If, however, the elves are offended in some way through neglect or disregard, such as forgetting to feed them, attempting to see them when they wish to remain unnoticed, or through some other, often irrational method such as asking them to wear clothes, they could become angry and cause destruction in the house, and ultimately leave.
The second concept is that of the Woodwose or wild man, a figure that inhabits forests and other wild places, depicted as entirely hairy and sometimes with goat legs as a faun or satyr. The wild man is a master of animals and of the forest, alternately guiding and vexing travelers and hunters, the latter of whom have grown wary and respectful of him. This concept is in some way related to the Green Man.
The third concept is that of a master of Fairie, one who can circle the earth in the blink of an eye, cross between our world and the Outside or Other world. As a Puck, he can be a figure of destruction, a demon, a lord of the fairie realm or a jester at the fairie court. In this guise he metes out judgement to the arrogant and evil.
This medieval incorporation of three previous characters or elements out of folklore also leads onward into a later character, that of Robin Hood. Robin Hood shares the characteristics of Goodfellow's persona both as an unseen elf, as a wild man of the woods, but also the tradition of passing judgement on the haughty and being a benefactor to the poor.
See also, Jack Frost
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