Medieval Satire In Monty Python And The Holy Grail

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Medieval romance novels revolve around knights who follow a code of chivalry and courtly love as well as embark on a perilous quests. Medieval romances typically do not include farce or satire. Farce is a type of comedy which includes exaggerated humor and mockery. Satire is the use of irony and ridicule to criticize or point out various aspects of society. Monty Python and the Holy Grail mocks the characteristics of a medieval romance such as the quest, knightly chivalry and courtly love through the use of satire and irony. In Monty Python and the Holy Grail King Arthur commences on a journey to acquire the infamous Holy Grail. Throughout the movie, King Arthur encounters multiple monsters. In a medieval romance, the hero is supposed act bravely and courageously to defeat the creatures. However, the monsters featured in Monty Python are used to poke fun at the traditional quest. This is exemplified when King Arthur arrives at the entrance of the cave of Caerbannog. Tim the enchanter attempts to warn King Arthur of the horrendous beast guarding the cave by stating “Well, that’s no ordinary rabbit. That’s the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on...Look, that rabbit’s got a vicious streak a mile wide. It’s a killer”(Gilliam). The rabbit’s role of a monster is ironic because a rabbit is not stereotypically a villainous creature. Another monster named the Black Beast of Aaaagh is presented against King Arthur in the cave of Caerbannog. The beast is a