Satire In Monty Python Mythology

The famous story of Knights of the Round Table is well known. King Arthur is the figure at the heart of the Arthurian legends but the Knights of the Round Table play an important part in the story and legend of King Arthur. “Various ceremonies were attended and oaths made before a man could become a knight”(Web). The basis for the code of Chivalry followed by King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were Honour, Honesty, Valour and Loyalty. “The Code of Chivalry dictated that a Knight should be brave and fearless in battle but would also exhibit cultured Knightly qualities showing themselves to be devout, loyal, courteous and generous”(Web.) King Arthur chose the Knights of the Round Table to show that the knights shows the characteristics of The Code of

One good example of how the film mocks Chivalric Code and Knightly Behavior is right in the beginning of the film. Author runs into a fight between and green knight and a black knight. The Black Knight kills the Green Knight while Author is there. Author tries to walk by but the black knight won't let him. So Arthur fights him. Author cuts the black knights arm off. The black knight still wants to fight when his arm is cut off. A knight is supposed to be strong and not give up. They continue to fight and Author cuts off the knight's other arm, and both legs. The Black Knight can even move at all now, but he still tries to fight Author. The code of bravery was ingrained in the knight that he was going to fight even

The people of Medieval Literature, followed the Chivalric Code. The Chivalric Code was a list of “rules” that were to be followed day to day. Of those who followed it , Knights and Royalty were the ones who were looked to obey it the most. Hair Play, Nobility, and Honor play a key role in the code. The film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, mocks medieval literature’s true chivalric code.

In two stories there is a code that knights follow. Chivalry is the code that they follow. The code says that a knight should be a brave warrior, a good christian, and selflessly fighting for justice. The knights are supposed to fight for their king and queen. In the stories Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and from Morte d’Arthur they show the idea about chivalry.

Chivalry and courtly love are two Arthurian sentiments displayed in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Le Morte d' Arthur, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Monty Python and the Holy Grail differs from Le Morte d' Arthur and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight because the film satirizes chivalry and courtly love while the other works are upholding it as orthodox. Courtly love from the Middle Ages consisted of knights chasing a fair maiden while always being respectful and courteous to her. Chivalry is a code of conduct that King Arthur's conventional knights uphold, which includes remaining honorable and ready to help the weak. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a lampoon that utilizes satire to ridicule chivalry and courtly love to not only amuse

The code of chivalry is an expectation that knights will protect their lords, have courage in battle and respect women (Beck 365). The aftermath of the affair between Sir Launcelot and Queen Gwynevere ended in the loss of two great knights and a war that sparked more conflict. That was all brought on because Queen Gwynevere wasn't faithful to her husband, King Arthur. Sir Lancelot's love for Queen Gwynevere is the reason he broke the code of chivalry. The lady of the manor repeatedly tempted Sir Gawain with riches, and he passed, except when she offered a sash that would save his life. When he took the sash, that was the moment that he failed the test of the Green Knight and the dishonored the code of chivalry. The women in these two stories may not have been one hundred percent responsible for the knights breaking the code of chivalry, but in the long run caused much worse events than the breaking of the code of

Monty Python and the Holy Grail portrays satire in the storyline following King Arthur and his knights of the round tables expedition for the Holy Grail throughout England during the Middle Ages. Monty Python is a satirical movie meaning it’s purpose is to make individuals in society laugh and then think. Satire seeks to influence our opinions and world.The film Monty Python and the Holy Grail uses unexpected logic as well as unexpected events to expose ignorance within mankind during the Middle Ages.

In the Medieval Period, knights dedicated their lives to following the code of chivalry. In Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, a number of characters performed chivalrous acts to achieve the status of an ideal knight. Their characteristics of respect for women and courtesy for all, helpfulness to the weak, honor, and skill in battle made the characters King Arthur, King Pellinore, and Sir Gryfflette examples of a what knights strove to be like in Medieval society. Because of the examples ofchivalry, Le Morte d’Arthur showed what a knight desired to be, so he could improve theworld in which he lived.

Knights are one of the most mistaken figures of the medieval era due to fairytales and over exaggerated fiction novels. When medieval knights roamed the earth, it was known that they were only human and, like humans, had faults. These knights did not always live up to the standards designated by society. However, in The Canterbury Tales, the knight is revealed as a character that would now be considered a knight in shining armor, a perfect role model in how he acts and what he does. Modern day people see them as chivalrous figures instead of their actual role as mounted cavalry soldiers. As time passes, the idea of what a knight is changes from a simple cavalry soldier to a specific type of behavior.

     An act of chivalry is described as the qualifications or character of the ideal knight. Knights were expected to uphold this code of conduct. In the English literature Le Morte d?Arthur, French for ?The Death of Arthur?, by Sir Thomas Malory, the characters display acts of chivalry from beginning to end. Though the code of chivalry contains many qualities or acts, nevertheless bravery, loyalty, and courtly love are demonstrated more throughout this literature.

The film Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a parody of Arthurian stories. It is a film that is not very elaborate on special effects, costumes and such as it even includes invisible horses with coconuts to mimic the sound of the “galloping” horses. All which indicate the low budget set on the production of the film. Although, the quality of the film does not suffer with it’s low budget since this adds uniqueness and more comical pieces to the film. The concepts triggered in the film come from elements of the Arthurian legends. The elements are concepts related to the education, health of the time, code of chivalry, divine rights, Christianity and social division.

Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones’ film Monty Python and the Holy Grail is set in medieval England. The narrative is centred around Arthur's divinely fated quest for the Holy Grail, and the exploits of his most trusted knights in its pursuit. Contained amidst the comedy and timeless illogicality, are very real satirical insights into the medieval way of life for every social distinction and the two most powerful forces of the age, the Church and monarchy. There were no police, no grazing sheep, no textile work, no cathedrals, abbeys or shrines awaiting pilgrim, no town markets or fairs, no taxes, no dynastic struggles or endless wars, no invasions, no married couples or families, no gunpowder, no industry, no roads or waterways, no planted fields,

At this point in history the men who fought the wars were lead by their leaders with a code of chivalry. Chivalry can be explained as “the Anglo-Saxon code on steroids.” (McGee) Which is, explained further, a moral system for a good way to conduct fighting. The knights in Arthurian time went even further with that code to say that it was a way to conduct oneself not only in battle, but at all times. Knights, by being chivalrous, were kind to all people, fought well and true, kept faith and believed in the Christian God, and fought for their kings. Chivalry can be found across the Arthurian texts, The Song of Roland is one of the texts that has multiple examples of chivalry.

It is interesting to note that King Arthur's life depends on two things: his remaining faithful to his word, and Sir Gromer, also a knight bound by the code of chivalry, remaining true to his word. If Arthur does not trust that Sir Gromer will honor the code and spare his life, it would seem unreasonable for him to agree to such a deal. In the end, we find that both men remain honorable, thus upholding this aspect of the code of knighthood.

In the medieval time, knight was a really essential part of the society, because they protected people and prosperities for them. They are respected, and have good behavior. In order to keep the good reputation, people came up with the code of chivalry which lists all the qualities that a knight should have. The movie, First Knight is about a man named Lancelot who is good with sword. He saves the life of King Arthur’s wife, Guinevere, and his behavior captures King Arthur’s attention. Then, he is invited to join the knights of the round table of King Arthur. He goes to a public trial because he has an affair with Guinevere, but then Camelot got invaded. Lancelot killed Malagant, and saves the day. In this movie, Lancelot is a great