How Does Robin Goodfellow An Insomniac Ghost Hunter?

Thesis: Robin Goodfellow is an insomniac ghost hunter.

Robin’s hatred for ghosts and his persistence in pursuing them are characteristics of an experienced ghost hunter. To introduce him to the marvels of ghost-hunting, Robin has Oberon accompany him on one of his nightly patrols. Having memorized their movement patterns, Robin tells Oberon that these "Damnèd spirits …/… willfully themselves exile from light and must for aye consort with black-browed night" (3.2.403-408). Robin knows that ghosts tend to move at nighttime because they prefer the dark, knowledge that requires extensive observation. He also holds some grudge against ghosts, hence his calling them "Damnèd spirits”. It is typical for someone to study the whereabouts of a group they detest if they want to inflict harm. Robin studies ghosts so that he can systematically find and eliminate them.

As Robin begins his next nightly patrol, he has a brief self-monologue. In this speech, Robin once more notes how ghosts, “following darkness like a dream, / Now are frolic” (5.2.403-404). Strolling by a random residence, Robin then says that “Not a mouse / Shall disturb this hallowed house” (5.2.404-405). As ghosts are nocturnal creatures, “following darkness like a dream,” they only threaten the peaceful slumber of other humans at night. To mentally prepare himself for this night’s extermination, Robin vows to prevent any ghosts from disturbing “hallowed,” or haunted, “house[s]”. Furthermore, in spending most of every night hunting ghosts, Robin sacrifices his sleep so that humans can rest easy; this has taken a toll on Robin; to describe ghosts as creatures that follow “darkness like [it’s] a dream,” Robin must subconsciously consider dreaming an alien concept. How he’s still alive is bizarre, but Robin’s obsession and sacrifice for the sake of total ghost annihilation are