MONTY PYTHON and THE HOLY GRAIL
This movie is a “critique” of Feudalism from a “liberal” and “modern” point of view.
SCENE CHARACTERIZATION of WHAT/HOW IT’S
FEUDALISM PARODIED/SATIRIZED
“Coconuts” King on a Quest to build a “great” Kingdom I don’t care about that –
My trusty servant Patsy Where did you get the coconuts?
Obligations owed by “inferiors” to superiors King’s “greatness” ignored
questioned by “modern” science/inquiry
“Plague threat of disease; demographic disaster nature’s cruelty (germs)
Village” lack of scientific knowledge, medicine furthered by human cruelty
“Constitutional feudal social hierarchy(superiors/inferiors) questions “authoritarianism”
Peasants” Authoritarianism – do as you are told my “rights” are being “oppressed”
“divine right” monarchy (power from God) “modern” self-government
“rex lex” – the king is law (top-down) by “social contract” (law is king)
agricultural based economy majority of “dirt farmers”
“exploitation” of “peasant” farmers “Marxist”critique/appeal to “workers”
“The Black social order enforced by force, violence “mindless” violence ?
Knight” feudal allegiance and obligations to superiors
“Singing Monks” limited education & knowledge of “Dark Ages” “holy” masochism
educated monks had to hand write books (pleasure from own pain)
“Witch Village” medieval “superstition”; questionable use of “reason”,
“scapegoating” for society’s problems logic and “science”
Gender inequality & lack of “opportunity”
“Knights of the the legend of a great king-court-castle Camelot is a “silly” place
Round Table” a “noble”, heroic and “man-ly” quest Is this “natural” behavior
by adult men in power?
“French Taunters”/ historic rivalry between French-English rude, obnoxious French
“The Trojan Rabbit” English adopt ancient weapon-trick who’s mouths (taunting)
are biggest weapon
“Tale of Sir Lancelot/ brave knight on a “holy crusade” brave but dangerous?
“The Rescue of “arranged” marriage for political-economic gain a questionable
Prince Herbert”/ royal “inbreds”?/marriage of royal “blood” heir to the throne ?
“Wedding Guests” victims of a daring and heroic “rescue” “chivalry” gone “crazy”
“The Cave of a “monster” of “epic” proportions never underestimate
Caerbannog”/ your enemy
“Holy Hand Grenade” violent religious “crusade” “I warned you!”
State and Church joined in common cause
“Prepare to Attack” dramatic “climax” to “epic” tale “ANTI-climax”
How England became “great” feudal “heroism/legend” mocked
King Arthur’s downfall-demise condemned as modern “crimes”