Dr Martha Lee
A few weeks ago, while watching ‘Robin Hood’ starring Russell Crowe, I found myself cringing at the predictability of the plot. I am usually not so squeamish about my buttons being so obviously pushed. However, I walked away from the experience with a few observations about the preparation of heroes that I’d like to share with you.
Good guy Robin Longstride (Crowe) is an archer fighting under King Richard the Lionhearted during what would be Richard’s final Crusade. Robin is falsely accused of disloyalty but escapes after Richard is killed. Upon finding the dead king’s crown, Robin returns it to London, where Richard’s brother, John, takes over. Unbeknownst to John, his new right-hand man Sir Godfrey, an English knight with French lineage and allegiance, is in cahoots with the French.
The film climaxes with an invasion on England’s south coast by the French. Robin slays Godfrey with a well-placed arrow from long distance. The English are victorious in the ensuing battle, during which King John perceives the French surrendering to Robin, rather than to himself, as a major threat to his power. In the final scenes, King John declares Robin to be an outlaw. In response to this, Robin moves to Sherwood Forest, with his love interest Lady Marion of Loxley and his friends in tow, to form what will become the celebrated Merry Men of myth and legend.
Here is the typical good guy vs. bad guy; underdog vs. person of power; hero vs. villain – not to mention fair maiden thrown in for good measure.
I asked myself: Why is it that the hero of the movie somehow always manages, in the midst of great chaos no less, to be at the right place at the right time, to make the critical difference – namely kill off the villain?
In action movies, this good guy has some heroic quality – kind, honest, integrity – in addition to being either stronger and tougher, or smarter even if not bigger in build. However, he would definitely have received more training, and therefore, he is more skilful and more prepared for whatever may come. Hence, it is only natural that this person would be more likely to be able to watch for the signs and indeed, be at the right place at the right time.
In order to have a good, if not fantastic, sex life, there are things we can do to make sure we are at optimum shape. All these things mummy or doctor said is true: watch your diet; exercise regularly, drink less, stop smoking; and take time to pamper yourself. The saying “Take care of yourself and the rest will follow” certainly rings true.
We can not only prepare ourselves physically but also acquire skills for sex. This training can come for instance, in the form of reading sex education books; attending sexual technique workshops; going for related communication, coaching or counselling sessions.
You are the Sex Hero of your life.
————-
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood_%282010_film%29
———-
Dr. Martha Lee is Founder and Clinical Sexologist of Eros Coaching. She is a certified sexologist with a Doctorate in Human Sexuality. She provides sexuality and intimacy coaching for individuals and couples, conducts sexual education workshops and speaks at public events. For more, visit www.eroscoaching.com or email drmarthalee@eroscoaching.com.
Dear Dr Martha Lee,
I don’t need to be a sex hero to my future wife,what is most important is sex is part n parcel of procreation,its the natural way of doing it,i strongly feel its not necessary to attend any workshops or counseling sessions,sex was created for pleasure,marriage is for life….i wonder how the fairer sex feels about this,i do not agree with you that mankind needs a sex hero,what mankind needs is hope,faith,courage,unconditional love,forgiveness,etc…The Real McCoy,that’s what we need!
This section really does not belong here. TOC should consider creating a link, if it is so deadly sure that this is an important section of TOC.
Yes, one cannot deny it is an important part of our lives but the occasional dosage of sex stuff in this section is like putting salt, instead of sugar, into our cup of tea. It doesn’t taste correct.
Sorry, TOC, just my five cents worth of opinion. No offence meant.
@ James Michael Parthi 28 June 2010
agree with you. sex hero? let them make a cartoon base on this title. but in reality it doesn’t exist
James, I agree with you 100%.
People (in general) love a story about the good guy winning. Of course, it will help romantisize the story if the hero and heroine is good looking too. But if the good looking persons are portrayed as bad people, the audience will not be rooting for them. The very sucessful series `Ugly Betty’ is a good example. It is proof that people still want to be behind a good person who is not good looking than vice versa.
So I believe a good life is not about good sex but it is about living a good and morally upright life. Good spouse, good parents, good friends and good children. That’s what we all want in our hearts And to me, the Robin Hood is just about that :)
I think you’re missing the point of Martha’s article. She’s saying if you treasure your sex life you’ll pay attention to it and nurture it the way you see best. She did not say you must do it her way through workshops and stuff.
But Martha has also missed the point about Robin Hood. Robin Hood is actually a political story. There is no clear cut heroism actually. It is a tale of two political factions.
Martha Lee,
Do men need to feel like they’re the king of the bedroom, scruffy and sweaty wuth muscles that are more like flab, before ejaculating wildly over their women squirming beneath them in utter ecstacy?
What has Robin Hood got to do with leading a healthy sex life?
If your message is to instil a sense of confidence to both men AND WOMEN (your article is also grossly mysogynistic) then introducing a hero such as Robin Hood is not only embedding a false sense of confidence to men, but also idealising sex in the manner a 5-year old girl who’s seen too many kissing scenes in hollywood movies.