The Problem with the Robin Hood Morality Test (aka Personality Quiz)

The origin of the Robin Hood test are vague—one site describes it like this:

The fascinating personality test below was written by a Sydney marriage expert who is a qualified psychologist. It began as a dinner party conversation gimmick, but it has been prepared in this form for readers to test themselves. To do the “test” you must give your honest opinion about morals and honesty of the four characters in our story of Sherwood Forest. Forget any preconceived ideas you may about them — this is a different sort of story from all the others. Ready?

The Sheriff of Nottingham captured Little John and Robin Hood and imprisoned them in his maximum-security dungeon. Maid Marion begged the Sheriff for their release, pleading her love for Robin. The Sheriff agreed to release them only if Maid Marion spent the night with him. To this she agreed. The next morning the Sheriff released his prisoners. Robin at once demanded that Marion tell him how she persuaded the Sheriff to let them go free. Marion confessed the truth, and was bewildered when Robin abused her, called her a slut, and said that he never wanted to see her again. At this Little John defended her, inviting her to leave Sherwood with him and promising lifelong devotion. She accepted and they rode away together.

Now in terms of realistic everyday standards of behavior, put Robin, Marion, Little John, and the Sheriff in the order in which you consider they showed the most morality and honesty. There is no “right” answer.

Dwan Marie discusses it at Is Robin Hood A Jerk Or Marian A Slut? I found the reasoning for the different answers interesting, but for me, the test is framed dishonestly. I left this comment on Dwan Marie’s post:

I didn’t expect anyone to put the Sheriff in any other place than the bottom: he blackmails someone to break the law that he pretends to uphold. Nor did I expect anyone to put Robin at the bottom: he wants no compromise with injustice, so he would prefer to die than have Marian compromise herself to save him. Yes, that would’ve sucked for Little John, and it’s not kind to Marian, but if Robin is correct about his standards, it’s understandable that he would want a lover with equal ones. So, as written, the story’s outcome is probably best for all involved.

But I don’t buy the scenario. Marian would kill or incapacitate the Sheriff before having sex with him, because trusting a blackmailer to do what he promises is astonishingly naive.