Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Although Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a humorous films, it mocks and contains elements such as chivalric and medieval code, which lends itself to be a romance. Romance elements include the supernatural, pairing in thirds, old hags, wise old men, and references to King Arthur and his knights. All of the elements appear in this film.

Supernatural powers and supernatural events help to indicated or define a romance. There are many instances in the Holy Grail of such events. The enchanter Tim had the ability to create powerful explosions and fire with merely his hands. The bunny guarding the cave where Joseph of Aramathea carved his last message could leap fast and furiously and had “sharp and pointy fangs.” A bunny like that is definitely not natural. Supernatural events are evident throughout the film, but are still not the only proof of a romance.

The bridge of death entailed the answering of three questions for each who wished to cross. This is a prime example of pairing in thirds, an additionally common element of romance. When Sir Robin and his minstrels were passing through the forests, they met a fiend that not only had heads paired in three but that was also quite supernatural. When the knight’s who say “Ni” gave out quests for King Arthur and his knights to conquer, they came three times. But pairing in thirds is no the last element, characters throughout the film hinted as well towards a romantic theme.

Wise old men and hags appeared intermittently throughout the Holy Grail. When King Arthur and his knights were