Name:___________________________________________ Date: __________________________ Page: ____
Analyzing History through Film:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail Viewing Guide
Before we begin: Below, fill in the boxes with any terms, concepts, or phrases that come to mind with regards
to each word and how it relates to the “Dark”/Middle Ages.
King
Knight
Peasants
Honor
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Part 1: (0:00-11:50)
1. In typical literature of the Middle Ages (think poetry like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight), a knight is often “tested” to
prove his honesty and his loyalty. How is King Arthur tested from the very beginning when questioned about his coconuts?
2. The Black Death wiped out between 40-50% of Europe’s entire population. How is this pandemic mocked in the film?
3. The social hierarchy of medieval Europe was primarily that of a feudal system, where the king and the barons owned all of
the land, and peasants had little or no right to associate with the aristocracy. In the film, describe the conversations that King
Arthur has with the “political peasants” (i.e. Dennis and the other serfs). How do these conversations relate to feudalism?
Part 2: (16:40-24:50)
4. In order to prevent people from practicing pagan rituals associated with antiquated religions, priests and aristocrats routinely
accused casually religious people of witchcraft in order to scare people into regular assimilated church services. Describe the
conversation that takes place with the religious official and the townspeople regarding the woman they are accusing of
witchcraft. What is their reasoning for determining that she is a which? How are they able to determine that she is a witch?
5. Compare the treatment of the accused witch with the Ordeal performed by the Catholic Church. How are they similar? How
are they different?
6. God played a central role in medieval culture, and often people were made to feel inferior to the wills and power of God over
men. How does King Arthur show homage to God when he makes an appearance in the clouds? What is God’s reaction to
King Arthur’s wallowing?
Part 3: (25:15-32:40)
7. Most people are familiar with the story of the Trojan Horse in the Trojan War. How is a similar depiction recreated in Monty
Python when the Knights of the Round Table are trying to enter the French castle? How is this a reference to Greco-Roman
culture? Why would Greco-Roman knowledge have been known in Western Europe at this time?
Part 4: (59:55-104:00)
8. During the Middle Ages, knights were often dispatched on quests, often by their lords or their kings. Who sends King Arthur
and his men on a quest? What is he forced to seek in order to fulfill this quest? How are Arthur and his men eventually able to
continue on their holy quest of finding the Holy Grail?
Part 5: (112.00-122.50)
9. One of the main aspects of Christianity is the focus on the Holy Trinity. Because of this the repetition of the number three in
the Bible is symbolic. How is the number three characterized and emphasized during the reading of the rules associated with
how to use the Holy Hand Grenade?
10. In depictions of Middle Age-era knights, having smart wit and being able to outsmart the opponent is key in the success of
any king or knight on a quest. In Monty Python, how do we see intelligence playing an intricate part in King Arthur’s ability to
cross the Bridge of the Dead?
11. Knights would often assemble to fight for a holy noble quest on behalf of Christianity, and engage in battles known as
Crusades. How is the final scene with the assembly of knights on the knoll similar to this idea?