Fantasy Feminism

A fantasy of feminism prevents modern cinematic portrayals of Robin Hood from regressing into obsolescence while ensuring patriarchal structures that define the legend are maintained. Kevin Reynolds’ Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) is a key example of this balance between feminist sensibility and the maintenance of the patriarchal status quo. This essay examines how the deliberate use of Joseph Campbell’s monomythic heroic framework enables the marginalization of Marian within the narrative of Prince of Thieves and preserves patriarchal practices within the Robin Hood legend. Joseph Campbell’s model of storytelling has been remarkably influential in Hollywood as a touchstone for the “real” heroic type of character and narrative, one that justifies a pervasive industrial adoption of storytelling that is centered on the personal growth of a patriarchal hero. Campbell’s preferencing of men as heroes, and subsequent marginalization of women through conventionally feminine-coded archetypes, provides a patriarchal template for Marian’s marginalization in Prince of Thieves. Marian is marginalized in the film through her exclusion from the masculine-coded space of Sherwood Forest (due to her potential to destabilize Robin’s position of power), and the negation of her physical combat skills (which allows Robin to rescue her and reinforce his position as hero). Prince of Thieves provides a façade of feminist progression that masks this marginalization, ensuring basic contemporary cultural relevance while maintaining broadscale popular appeal. Prince of Thieves’ fantasy of feminism initially presents Marian as a capable and independent heroine, which aligns with the seemingly postfeminist sensibility of the early 1990s. Thus, on a surface level viewing and analysis of the film, Marian appears to be modeled on certain third wave feminist stances. However, the film’s attunement to the realism of such positions is distorted, for it ultimately devalues Marian’s feminist potential, marginalizing her from Sherwood Forest and negating of her fighting skills. Until mainstream Robin Hood texts are willing to depart from the Campbellian hero model, the legend will continue to undermine its feminist potential in favor of valorizing Robin Hood as a patriarchal hero.