Robin Hood: Vigilante Justice

The term “vigilante justice” often invokes images of a fighter who uses his strength or power to take action at the expense of the common law. From the outside, these individuals seem to be wild and unpredictable, actively promoting disobedience to the established legal system. With this delicate relationship between the law and the citizens hanging in the balance, we must ask ourselves whether these lawbreakers can be considered heroes. Robin Hood, a self-proclaimed outlaw who “robs the rich to feed the poor” in the eponymous 1973 Disney film, is an example of one such individual who puts himself above the established law. In examining the social and cultural context behind his actions, however, we will see that he does not do so in a reckless …show more content…
If it were simply disagreement, his actions would be much more closely aligned with the mob law of which Lincoln is concerned, and Robin Hood would not be able to be considered a hero. However, because of the social situation, he is forced to take calculated and necessary action. Numerous times throughout the film, the Sheriff of Nottingham tries to argue that he is simply doing his job as he collects taxes from the poor. He sings, “They call me a slob, but I do my job” as he walks away from the beleaguered citizens (Robin Hood). While it is true that he is following orders, there is a basic lack of reciprocated respect that Rousseau argues is a critical aspect of the government’s job (Jackson 437). The Sheriff may argue that he is “just doing [his] duty,” but is he really? A more accurate statement would be that he is just following orders. A true government’s duty includes being able to protect the very people it governs (Lincoln). With Prince John’s obvious disregard for his citizens, Robin Hood is forced to save the citizens who are starving to death. To do so, he follows a clear moral code that guides him as a heroic