While the story of Robin Hood is not originally a fairy tale, as there was a real Robin Hood, it has been changed and altered so many times that it has evolved into a fairy tale used to teach children about helping the poor, and about stealing from the rich and greedy. 

An important difference when comparing the Disney depiction of Robin Hood to the chapbook version is that in the Disney version all the characters are foxes and assorted animals. Another difference is that in the chapbook Robin Hood came from noble blood, whereas in the Disney depiction, he is a poor man fighting against the evil rule of the king and high taxes. In the chapbooks, Robin Hood vowed to hate all monks and rich men because of how they stole his family’s land and wealth.  

This is just one of the many examples of Robin Hood robbing the rich, and is interesting because while some of the rich men are not nice people, many of them are kind and considerate, yet Robin Hood robs them regardless. 

In the Disney depiction, the main female character is Maid Marian, and in the chapbook it is Queen Eleanor. They also play very different characters. Marian is a maiden who is in need of rescue. In comparison, Eleanor is the mother of the king, and only calls upon Robin Hood to play in an archery tournament against her son for entertainment. In the Disney film, the king calls a tournament, and the prize is a kiss from Marian. In both cases the identity of Robin is kept a secret. 

The Queen makes her son, the king, promise not to hurt whoever wins the competition. When Robin is discovered, he is allowed to leave freely and no violence ensued. In the Disney version, he wears a disguise but is discovered, resulting in a huge battle to capture him. In the end Maid Marian is saved by Robin Hood. 

In the Disney version, Maid Marian and Robin Hood live happily ever after, but in the chapbook he dies a painful death at the hands of the monk who originally hurt him and his family.