In the Monty Python film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," there is a memorable scene that takes place during a witch trial. The script dialogue in this scene is hilarious and satirical, incorporating the trademark Monty Python humor. The scene begins with a group of villagers gathered around a tree, pointing at a woman named "Witch Mousy" hanging from a noose. Arthur and Bedevere, two knights searching for the Holy Grail, arrive on the scene. They are perplexed by the accusations of witchcraft and decide to intervene. **The main idea of this scene is the absurdity and irrationality of witch trials.
VILLAGER #1: And the hat, but she is a witch!
NARRATOR The wise Sir Bedevere was the first to join King Arthur s knights, but other illustrious names were soon to follow Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Gallahad the Pure, and Sir Robin the-not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot, who had nearly fought the Dragon of Angnor, who had nearly stood up to the vicious Chicken of Bristol, and who had personally wet himself at the Battle of Badon Hill, and the aptly named Sir Not-appearing-in-this-film. NARRATOR The wise Sir Bedevere was the first to join King Arthur s knights, but other illustrious names were soon to follow Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Gallahad the Pure, and Sir Robin the-not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot, who had nearly fought the Dragon of Angnor, who had nearly stood up to the vicious Chicken of Bristol, and who had personally wet himself at the Battle of Badon Hill, and the aptly named Sir Not-appearing-in-this-film.
**The main idea of this scene is the absurdity and irrationality of witch trials.** The villagers explain that Witch Mousy turned them into newts. Arthur questions the logic behind this claim, stating that newts are amphibians, not humans.
Monty python witch trial scene script dialogue
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by Burkard Polster and Marty Ross
17:03
- Crowd: A witch! A witch! A witch! We found a witch! We've got a witch! A witch! A witch! We have found a witch. May we burn her?
- How do you know she is a witch
- She looks like one.
- Bring her forward.
- I'm not a witch! I'm not a witch !
- But you are dressed as one.
- They dressed me like this. - No, we didn't.
- And this isn't my nose. It's a false one.
- Well? - We did do the nose.
- The nose? - And the hat. But she is a witch !
- Did you dress her up like this? - No, no!
- Yes. A bit.
- She has got a wart.
- What makes you think she's a witch?
- She turned me into a newt!
- A newt?
- I got better.
- Burn her anyway!
- Quiet! Quiet!
- There are ways of telling whether she is a witch.
- Are there? What are they? Tell us. - Do they hurt?
- Tell me, what do you do with witches?
- Burn them!
- And what do you burn, apart from witches?
- More witches! - Wood!
- So why do witches burn?
- 'Cause they're made of wood? - Good!
- How do we tell if she is made of wood? - Build a bridge out of her.
- But can you not also make bridges out of stone?
- Oh, yeah.
- Does wood sink in water?
- No, it floats. - Throw her into the pond!
- What also floats in water?
- Bread. - Apples.
- Very small rocks. - Cider! Great gravy.
- Cherries. Mud. - Churches.
- Lead. - A duck!
- Exactly.
- So, logically--
- If she weighs the same as a duck.
- she's made of wood.
- And therefore?
- A witch!
- A duck! A duck! - Here's a duck.
- We shaIl use my largest scales.
- Burn the witch !
- Remove the supports!
- A witch!
- It's a fair cop.
- Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of science?
- I am Arthur, king of the Britons.
The villagers respond in a flustered manner, refusing to accept this logical reasoning. **The main idea here is the questioning of irrational beliefs.** Arthur then suggests that they should test if Witch Mousy is actually a witch. This sparks a series of absurd tests, including weighing the same as a duck. When Witch Mousy is found to weigh the same as a duck, the villagers immediately conclude that she is, in fact, a witch. This illogical conclusion highlights the ridiculous nature of the witch trial. **The main idea here is the use of nonsensical tests to "confirm" someone's guilt.** The dialogue between Arthur and the villagers is filled with comic timing, wordplay, and puns. The villagers have a firm belief in their accusations, refusing to listen to any rational arguments. They rely on superstition and fear, rather than evidence, to support their claims. **The main idea here is the satirical portrayal of ignorance and blind faith.** Throughout the scene, Monty Python exposes the flaws in witch trials and mocks the people who believed in such practices. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, skepticism, and reason. **The main idea here is the satire of societal beliefs and practices.** Overall, the "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" witch trial scene script dialogue is a masterclass in satirical comedy. It highlights the ridiculousness of witch trials and demonstrates the power of logic, reason, and questioning societal norms..
Reviews for "Monty Python's Witch Trial Scene: A Showcase of Sharp and Witty Dialogue"
1. John - 2 stars - I found the Monty python witch trial scene script dialogue to be quite disappointing. The jokes were not as clever or witty as I expected from the Monty Python team. The whole scene felt forced and lacked the usual charm and humor that I have come to love from their sketches. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this particular sketch.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - As a long-time fan of Monty Python, I was excited to watch the witch trial scene, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The dialogue was not as sharp or humorous as their other skits. The jokes felt repetitive and predictable, and I felt that they missed the opportunity to take the scene in a more clever direction. It's a shame because I had high expectations, but this sketch just didn't deliver.
3. Mark - 1 star - The Monty python witch trial scene script dialogue was simply awful. I found it dull, unfunny, and lacking any clever wordplay or humor. It was a painful experience to sit through and left me questioning why I even bothered watching it. I truly expected more from such a legendary comedy group.
4. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't quite understand the hype around the Monty python witch trial scene script dialogue. The jokes were juvenile and lacked any real substance. I felt that the comedy was too reliant on cheap gags and shock value, rather than clever wit. Overall, it was a disappointing and forgettable sketch that did not live up to Monty Python's reputation.
5. David - 2 stars - The Monty python witch trial scene script dialogue was a miss for me. I felt like the humor was outdated and didn't resonate with a modern audience. The jokes were predictable and lacked the intelligence and sharpness that I expect from Monty Python. It felt like they were recycling old material without bringing anything new or fresh to the table. Overall, I was left unimpressed by this particular scene.