Monty Python`s Holy Grail mocks chivalry, a heroic ideal, from Sir Thomas Mallory`s "Le Morte d`Arthur." Mallory accents this realistic ideal by embellishing honor, valor, and reverence for women as portrayed through his characters, The Knights of the Round Table. Monty Python uses the same characters yet does the opposite by mocking the same ideal.

The taunting begins in Monty Python during Arthur's battle with the Black Knight. The Black Knight guards a passage The Knights of the Round Table must cross in order to finish their quest. The knight honorably refuses to give up the fight for his cause. Even when he has no limbs he continues to attack Arthur. In Mallory's text fighting to the death was the only honorable way to die. The Black Knight in Monty Python pushes those limits.

The Holy Grail also mocks King Arthur's valiance...