2. THE BLACK KNIGHT (p.150)

1. Get ready

a. What do you know about the Monty Python?

Have you seen any of their films?

Which one(s) ?

Monty Python (sometimes known as The Pythons) was a British surreal comedy group that created Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that was first broadcast on the BBC in 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series. The Python phenomenon developed.

They went on tours and made films: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979), Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983). They became stars.

Members of the group: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

Watch this scene.

b. Watch and speak

What were your first reactions?

Did you find the scene funny?

Why? Why not?

What soundtrack is used?

What is the effect on the viewer?

Sum up what happens in a few sentences?

– This scene is a cult scene, it is hilarious. The Black Knight is so absurd and ridiculous. The knights are walking as if they had horses. The visual effects are clever and make me laugh. It is a subtle parody of the ideals of Arthurian literature. In this scene the chivalric code of knighthood is portrayed as being silly and unrealistic.

Dramatic music is used to convey the idea that it is an epic tale, that a new adventure will begin.

– King Arthur and his servant come to a bridge guarded by the Black Knight, who is fighting with the Green Knight. They are both decked out in full armour and wield massive swords. The Black Knight finally tosses his sword through the eye slit in the Green Knight’s helmet. Arthur is impressed and gets closer to the Black Knight, hoping to enlist him into the quest for the Holy Grail. The Black Knight refuses to answer King Arthur. He insists that no man shall pass over the bridge and sounds adamant.

Arthur is forced to fight the knight with his sword. After a number of thrusts and parries, Arthur manages to cut off the knight’s left arm. Blood gushes from the knight’s shoulder, but he still refuses to let Arthur pass, taunts him and goes on fighting with his right arm.

Arthur chops off the man’s right arm and kneels on the ground to thank God for his victory. The Black Knight, however, doesn’t give up / yield and keeps kicking Arthur with his boots. Arthur slices off one of the Knight’s legs, but still the brave knight fights on. Arthur finally slices off the other leg. The Black Knight is maimed, however he doesn’t give up the fight.

2.Read and Understand

a. What do the underlined pronouns refer to in the script?

' 'Tis but a scratch' (l.20)

'' Well, what's that then?'' (l.23)

“ … we'll call it a draw.'' (l.55)

“’Tis but a scratch” (l. 20): Arthur chops the Black Knight’s left arm off (l. 17-18)

“Well, what’s that then?” (l. 23): “Your arm’s off!” (l. 21)

“… we’ll call it a draw.” (l. 55): the fight

b. Read this definition of an understatement.

What lines in the text are understatements?Who uses them and why?

Examples of understatements used by the Black Knight: “’Tis but a scratch” (l. 20) ● “I’ve had worse.” (l. 24) ● “J ust a flesh wound.” (l. 40)

He uses understatements to convince King Arthur that he is mistaken, he is not badly injured. Rather than betray any emotion or show that he is suffering, the Black Knight goes to the opposite extreme and feigns dry, deadpan indifference. He denies reality. His fortitude and endurance are remarkable.

c. '' I seek the finest and bravest knights in the land...'' (l.3)

''You're a loony.'' (l.51)

Compare Arthur's attitude towards the knight at the beginning and at the end of the scene.

At the beginning Arthur is quite impressed by the fighting spirit and bravery of the Black Knight. He thinks he has just met a noble knight.

But he gradually realizes that the knight is being absurd and ridiculous.

At the beginning Arthur is quite impressed by the fighting spirit and bravery of the Black Knight. He thinks he has just met a noble knight.

But he gradually realizes that the knight is being absurd and ridiculous.

3. Characterization

a. Draw King Arthur's and the Black Knight's portraits.

Give examples to illustrate your point.

King Arthur:

He is first impressed by his enemy. He is astounded by the knight’s bravery. He praises the knight’s qualities. He is authoritative and confident. He expects the Black Knight to yield easily.

The Black Knight:

On the one hand he is a noble knight. He does not recoil before the enemy, he is unrelenting, implacable. He does not shrink back from the enemy. He is worthy of respect and honour. He exhibits courage in word and deed. He fights with honour, defies / challenges the king to death. He isn’t cowardly / chicken-hearted. He does not give up easily. He keeps taunting him although he is maimed. But on the other hand he is menacing but stupid since he does seize the opportunity to stop the fight.

b. Patsy is a silent character.

What does he do in this scene?

What explains his attitude?

Patsy is a silent character, he is cowardly. As soon as he feels he is in danger, he runs away to hide. He does not dare to face the frightening knight. He carefully avoids putting his life at risk.

4. A farce

List the elements in the scene that correspond to the following definition:

Numerous visual gags are to be found: the Black Knight’s arms are sliced off. But the Black Knight isn’t done, he kicks Arthur with his boots. Arthur slices off one of the knight’s legs, and yet the knight fights on, hops and bumps against him.

Arthur finally slices off the other leg. The Black Knight finally declares the fight is over, and still doesn’t admit defeat.

Actions are overblown, and the situations are silly and impossible. The two characters are involved in silly or unlikely situations that are intended to make us laugh. This gory scene is a parody of the ideals of Arthurian literature. The language is initially very formal or mock-archaic (to parody chivalry), but later familiar and contemporary (“you stupid bastard”...).

Actions are overblown, and the situations are silly and impossible. The two characters are involved in silly or unlikely situations that are intended to make us laugh. This gory scene is a parody of the ideals of Arthurian literature. The language is initially very formal or mock-archaic (to parody chivalry), but later familiar and contemporary (“you stupid bastard”...).