For this time around in our “Versus” segment, and since its around the holiday season, we thought that we would have two icons that, in a way, gave back to people! So we have Santa Claus Vs Robin Hood! It’s not about a fight this time, ’cause ’tis the season and such, but who gave more, and who did it better! Thought you probably know around these 2 already? Well, here is a little character break down…
SANTA CLAUS
Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santy, or simply Santa is a mythical figure with historical origins who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of well-behaved, “good” Christian children (and sometimes non-Christian children) on 24 December (Christmas Eve) and the early morning hours of 25 December (Christmas Day). The modern Santa Claus is derived from the British figure of Father Christmas, the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, and Saint Nicholas, the historical Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra. During the Christianization of Germanic Europe, this figure may also have absorbed elements of the god Odin, who was associated with the Germanic pagan midwinter event of Yule and led the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession through the sky.
Santa Claus is generally depicted as a portly, joyous, white-bearded man—sometimes with spectacles—wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots and who carries a bag full of gifts for children. Images of him rarely have a beard with no moustache. This image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of the 1823 poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” and of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children’s books and films.
Santa Claus has been believed to make lists of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior (“naughty” or “nice”) and to deliver presents, including toys, and candy to all of the well-behaved children in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the flying reindeer who pull his sleigh. He is commonly portrayed as living at the North Pole and saying “ho ho ho” often.
ROBIN HOOD
Robin Hood is a heroic outlaw in English folklore who, according to legend, was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. Traditionally depicted as being dressed in Lincoln green,he is often portrayed as “robbing from the rich and giving to the poor” alongside his band of Merry Men. Robin Hood became a popular folk figure in the late-medieval period, and continues to be widely represented in literature, films and television.
The antiquarian Roger Dodsworth (1585–1654) identified Robin Hood with “Robert Loxley” and stated that he was born in Bradfield parish in Hallamshire (South Yorkshire). He believed that Robin was first outlawed for killing his stepfather when ploughing. It is said that his mother gave him aid while he was hiding in the forest. He met Little John at Clifton upon Calder. Dodsworth believed that it was Little John rather than Robin Hood who was Earl of Huntingdon. There is no way of knowing whether Dodsworth derived his material from some unknown source or simply invented it. As “Robert” and its diminutives were among the most common of names at the time, and also since it was usual for men to adopt the name of their hometown, the record could just as easily be referring to any man from the area named Robert. In consequence, it cannot be proven whether or not this is the man himself. Roger Dodsworth’s commentary remains an interesting, unconventional, account.
With all that said, who would you like to see win this giving battle? Would it be jolly ol’ Santa, or The archer Robin Hood? Want to hear us talk about the character break down and who we choose? Just head on over to podcastunlimited.com and listen to episode #84 to find out! Don’t forget to vote! We want to know what you think. Also, let us know if you like these Versus, if you have a request for two other pop culture icons clashing against one another. Maybe we will use it in a future episode!
Give till it hurts! Then give some more!
The Engineer