Monty Python and the Holy Grai Parodyl

Most of the known Medieval writings that lasted through to the modern age, with a few exceptions, shed light on what the common people experienced, and the true character of some historical figures. The movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an effective parody of Medieval Romances because it contrasts the unrealistically sad, depressing, and courageous themes, and brings a hilarious exaggeration of a normal medieval quest.

The scene with King Arthur and the commoner, Dennis, is by far one of the best examples of how effective the movie is as a parody. The scene brings in to light a question of what gives a king the right to rule. Although a normal medieval commoner would never have questioned a king on this matter, Dennis, however, does. When Dennis poses the question to King Arthur, he answered with the historical legend that he "pulled the sword Excalibur" from a rock and was given divine right to rule by "the Lady of the Lake." Dennis then responded by mocking King Arthur, arguing that a random half dressed lady in the middle of a lake, handing out swords to people, is not a sufficient system of forming a government. He then protested that true supreme power can only be given by the consent of the masses, and not from a weird girl swimming with swords. This scene gives the legitimacy of King Arthur's nobility and right to rule, a perfect witty contrast to Medieval Romances. Dennis does not idolize his king, but dismisses him because he wasn't chosen by him or anyone from general masses.