Monty Python and the Holy Grail... A Modern Parody, An Old Idea

In Monty Python and the Holy Grial the concept of Knighthood is parodied. As we read, this is not a new idea. The middle class in the middle ages often mocked the honorable knights via parodies of their own. The Monty Python crew has given us a much more recent (and I feel, very entertaining) take on the story of King Arthur and his quest for the holy grail.

In this parody we find King Arthur and his knights on a quest for the Holy Grail. Instead of riding on horses, the knights gallop around while a servant makes the sound of horse hooves using coconuts.

The concept of of going on a religious quest for the holy grial is mocked by God, who is animated, agitated, and simply wants to complain about how tough it is to be himself. He says, "Everytime I try to talk to someone it's ''sorry this" and "forgive me that" and "I'm not worthy..." He feels it is depressing. I hardly think that is how knights from the early middle ages would have depicted God.

The idea of bravery is made fun of in the tale of Sir Robin the Brave, who runs away from danger instead of facing it. Sir Galahad the Chaste is found to be quite the opposite once he finds a castle full of women, and the valiant Knights of the Round Table like to sing and dance and their leisure.

The tale of Parzival is somewhat reflected in the part of the movie where King Arthur meets the Black Knight in the woods. Instead of fightly bravely and with honor, King Arthur chops all the of the Knight's extremities off while he insists that he can still fight without arms or legs.

Knighthood is parodies in Monty Python and the Holy grail. It may be an old idea... but it is still popular today.

By Colby Crocker