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old hand
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 Helen I suspect that each of us approach this test differently. Here's one take (and not even my first, or second). 1. Why has the Sherriff imprisoned R and LJ? Since we are only to assume what's in the anecdote (rather than our sentimental appreciation of the many Robin-the-Yorkshireman stories), we need to assume that it was legitimately done. So the Sherriff is twice-damned - for bargaining for sex, and for letting out presumably dangerous criminals. 2. What is Robin's moral universe? He appears to be priggish, this is true, but if he values sexual fidelity highly - and has he or has he not communicated this to Marion? - then perhaps he would rather have languished in the dungeon than have Marion use her body to provide the Sherriff with sexual favours. So his language may have been intemperate, but his actions may have been perfectly consistent with his morality. 3. Would LJ have wanted to be set free if he knew that Marion would have to sleep with S to do achieve this? Would Robin? Was Marion deciding to sleep with the S without reference to Robin's or LJ's feelings? How moral, or true to her relationship with Robin is that? The sacrifice was not just of her body, but also of her relationship, it seems to me. If she didn't take that into account, or thought of it then dismissed it, I do not consider her actions to be perfectly moral. Of course, we know nothing of this, but it would appear, from the fact that she didn't tell R about it in the first place, that she knew it was not something he would have wanted. Ergo, she was playing god, following her desires, to give R and LJ something they did not want at that price. Hmmmm... Self sacrificing for certain, but not very thoughtful about others' feelings? 4. About LJ, seeing as he seemed to want to make the best of a bad situation, nothing but mild praise. That's my take. cheer the sunshine warrior
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journeyman
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journeyman
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My result: Maid (sacrificed for another), John (defended another), Sheriff (kept his bargain, although nothing in the circumstance suggests he could have been made to), and Robin (judgmental prig who hurt the one who sacrificed for him)Same as Sparteye. Am I alone in believing that there's nothing morally wrong with prostitution? It's the moral equivalent of doctoring, music-making or accounting -- it's all about selling your abilities. To me, the immorality (or at least hypocrisy) is that it's illegal. I put the Sheriff last for dishonoring his oath of office and using his power to violate Marian.Yipes! I didn't even think of this! Shows how cynical I am, I guess. Have I become a moral relativist? As for lying down with the devil -- for how long? 
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Carpal Tunnel
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Quite long, by popular rep
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old hand
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Am I alone in believing that there's nothing morally wrong with prostitution?
Hey Blanche
I've been there and through to the other side. Whilst I do not believe there is anything 'morally' wrong with the act of selling your body/sexual favours, I have two reservations about it:
1. Like the porn industry, it seems to be inevitably exploitative, primarily of women.
2. In the context of this anecdote, the issue was also (IMO) the relationship she had with Robin, and the responsibility she owed it.
If there had been no indication in the anecdote that she was in a relationship with Robin then I would have scored it: 1 Marion (taking a difficult decision and sticking to it), 2 Little John (showing compassion) 3 Robin (intemperate and judgemental prig) 4 Sherriff (exploitative and corrupt)
cheer
the sunshine warrior
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max- I like your answer! I don't agree-- but I don't think i could have expressed my self as clearly or concisely-- I didn't mean to but you on the spot-- In many ways the test is simplistic-- but obviously-- we have reacted to it!
I guess my own person "hot button" got pushed-- (see my post quoting the assestment-- I tend to act emotionaly, and i have been hurt by "double standards"--
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journeyman
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journeyman
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2. In the context of this anecdote, the issue was also (IMO) the relationship she had with Robin, and the responsibility she owed it.
I didn't think of it from this angle (tho' my post about the immorality of prostitution had more to do, I guess, with other posters judgment about it).
Your thought about Marion's responsibility to the relationship reminds me of a Victorian era argument used to explain why men are superior to women -- because men's morals were based on absolute values but women's morals were seen to change, depending on people and circumstances. (I don't know if I am describing this very well, hope you get my gist.) In this circumstance, Marion felt her first priority was freeing Robin, but (you're saying, I think) that the higher plane would have been to consider the abstract construct of the relationship. I don't know, does it fit?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Let's think of it another way.
We have four characters : Sheriff, The Maiden, Robin, and Little John.
Now suppose the Sheriff is a woman and Marion is a man and it is Marion's two friends in the dungeon.
The Sheriff says SHE will let them all go if Male Marion has sex with her.
How does that affect your morality perceptions of the tale?
wow
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OP
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>Now suppose the Sheriff is a woman and Marion is a man and it is Marion's two friends in the dungeon.... How does that affect your morality perceptions of the tale?
or, suppose they're *all men....
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old hand
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The Sheriff says SHE will let them all go if Male Marion has sex with her.
Excellent suggestion. Were I Male Marion, in a relationship with Robyn, I would be very, very wary of sleeping with the Sherriff. Why would Robyn feel sympathetic towards my "but darling, it didn't mean anything to me" argument? How do I know Robyn would rather I slept with the Sherriff than spend another night in gaol?
These, for me, are the issue. So responding to Blanche at the same time I say: Marion might be considered to be demonstrating a form of selfishness, inasmuch as she didn't consider what Robin's feelings would be, but only her desire to have him back with her. Of course, given the sketchy nature of the anecdote, all of this is speculation, but I based my judgement on the idea of making what seemed like the most reasonable assumptions.
Am still, as always, on the side of people's rights to be paid for sex if they so choose.
cheer
the sunshine warrior
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You are all truly and deeply warped (That why I love y'all?) I should have worded it this way: Female Sheriff, Male Marion, Robin-a female, and Little John is the pal. I was going to write "Robin a female bird" and "Little John keeps same gender" BUT you perverts would have had waaaaay too much fun with that! wow
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