Monty Python and the.. What is Happening in this Movie!

            In “Comic Relief,” John Morreall says, “When we’re out for a laugh, we break social conventions right and left,” and the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail does just that. There is literally no possible way to describe this movie. This was my first time watching it, and I’m pretty sure my mouth was hanging open half the time and the other half, I was doubled over in laughter. Nothing makes sense! People pretend to ride horses, when they are actually just galloping and hitting coconuts together and claim that people are witches if they weigh the same as a duck. Social norms do not exist in this movie. In fact, the characters in the movie would be made fun of if they attempted to abide by social norms in any way.

            After reading “Comic Relief,” I think the humor theory that most relates to this movie is the Incongruity theory. As mentioned before, nothing makes sense. There honestly really isn’t a plot, and the events that occur in the movie in no way relate to each other. Everything humans expect to happen does not occur in this movie. For example, the characters act as if pretending to ride a horse is completely normal. No one ever once questions it or is ever fazed by it. They speak to a cartoon God, as if that is an everyday occurrence. Also, the police come at the end, which completely goes against the medieval, King Arthur setting the audience expects. Morreall says, “the core meaning of ‘incongruity’ in standard incongruity theories is that some thing or event we perceive or think about violates our normal mental patterns and normal expectations.” Everything from the setting to the character’s actions violates our normal expectations in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. While the characters are those from the tales of King Arthur, they in no way fight with honor, save the damsel in distress, or compete in various battles. Animals are tossed off of castles as weapons and knights constantly repeat the word “Ni.” And yet, it is the movie’s ability to make absolutely no sense and to go against every social norm that keeps the audience laughing.

            Just as Morreall discusses in his article, humans are drawn to what they do not expect. Aspects that go against social norms keep people laughing. Many comedies include incongruous aspects for this very reason. One particular comedy that comes to mind is Mrs. Doubtfire. The main character dresses as a woman babysitter to see his children. This is something very unexpected and is the main reason the movie is so funny to watch. However, the movie also has aspects that are expected, such as the father’s love for his children, the mother’s desire to keep her children safe, and the typical story of a father who works too much. The beauty of Monty Python and the Holy Grail is that literally nothing about it is expected. It is so unexpected, there is basically no plot, and all movies have plots! When you really think about it, it almost seems strange that people even find the movie funny, as everything that occurs is completely unrelated and the jokes are a bit cheesy when you think about it, especially for older audiences. One of the characters makes a joke about “farting in someone’s face.” This phrase is incredibly overused. Even the most famous line, “your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries,” has no meaning what so ever! However, just as Morreall discusses, the fact that every aspect of this movie makes no sense and does not relate, keeps people laughing. Regardless of the fact that it really has no overall theme or plot, people enjoy the movie because it allows them to view something that has no logic.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail’s success comes from the fact that it uses the Incongruity theory throughout the entire film. It chooses situations people are familiar with and makes them completely absurd. I remember watching the scene where the characters accused the woman of being a witch. I was suddenly brought back to when I learned about the Salem Witch Trials in high school and began wondering what they were going to do to her. Imagine my surprise when they compared her weight to a duck! Monty Python and the Holy Grail allows people to laugh through, basically, the entire movie because every aspect of it is random and different than both everyday life and than what is expected in particular settings. So, if you’re looking for not only a laugh but also total and utter randomness, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is for you!