In the famous Monty Python sketch from their film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," the concept of witch burning is humorously portrayed. The sketch features a medieval village where a group of individuals accuse a woman of being a witch and plan to burn her at the stake. However, their arguments for her being a witch are comically ridiculous and illogical. Throughout the sketch, the villagers engage in absurd reasoning to justify their suspicion of the woman. They argue that she turned them into newts, can float like wood, and weighs the same as a duck - all absurd and irrational accusations. The sketch effectively highlights the irrationality and illogical nature of witch hunts and the flawed reasoning often used to justify such actions.
Johnny Depp says 'burning witch' Amber Heard texts to Paul Bettany was Monty Python joke
Johnny Depp has said texts he sent to actor Paul Bettany about burning and drowning his ex-wife Amber Heard were a joke based on a Monty Python sketch.
The 58-year-old actor told a court in Virginia on Monday he was “ashamed” of the messages he sent to Bettany but they were an attempt at “irreverent and abstract humour”.
The $50million libel trial has entered its third week with Depp suing Amber for defamation over an article she wrote for Washington Post in 2018, in which he claims that it falsely implies he physically and sexually abused her.
Johnny told court he had a close friendship with Paul Bettany and in 2013 had written in a text to him: "Let’s burn Amber.
“Let’s drown her before we burn her. I will f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she’s dead.”
Johnny Depp has said vicious texts about Amber Heard were jokes based on Monty Python ( Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Depp told court that he had connected with Paul over their “abstract sense of humour” to deal with difficult situations, and the comments were never “intended to be real.”
Johnny said: “As these are private texts there was a lot … in context.
“It’s important to know none of that was ever intended to be real and the language used which … yes, I am ashamed (of) has to be spread on the world like peanut butter.
“For example, the text that is about burning Ms Heard is directly from Monty Python and the sketch about burning witches and then drowning the witches.
“This is a film we’d all watch when we were 10 – it’s just irreverent and abstract humour.”
Witch Burning (From "Monty Python And The Holy Grail" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Lyrics
The sketch effectively highlights the irrationality and illogical nature of witch hunts and the flawed reasoning often used to justify such actions. The witch burning sketch is known for its humorous dialogue and satirical approach. It criticizes the ignorance and prejudice that often drive witch hunts and the tendency for people to blindly believe in superstitions without evidence or reason.
Witch Burning (From "Monty Python And The Holy Grail" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Lyrics
- We have found a witch. May we burn her?
- Burn her!
- How do you know she is a witch?
- She looks like one.
- Bring her forward.
- I am not a witch.
- But you are dressed as one.
- They dressed me up like this.
- We didn′t!
- And this isn't my nose. It′s a false one.
- Well?
- Well, we did do the nose.
- The nose?
- And the hat. But she is a witch.
- Burn her!
- Did you dress her up like this?
- No.
- Yes.
- Yes, a bit. She has got a wart.
- What makes you think she is a witch?
- Well, she turned me into a newt.
- A newt?
- I got better.
- Burn her anyway.
- Burn her!
- Quiet! There are ways of telling whether she is a witch.
- Are there? What are they? Tell us.
- Tell me, what do you do with witches?
- Burn them!
- What do you burn apart from witches?
- More witches!
- Wood.
- So, why do witches burn?
- 'Cause they're made of wood?
- Good!
- So, how do we tell whether she is made of wood?
- Build a bridge out of her.
- Can you not also make bridges 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.
- Cherries.
- Gravy.
- 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 witch!
Writer(s): Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
The sketch also mocks the arbitrary nature of such accusations and the mob mentality that often accompanies these situations. By using humor, Monty Python brings attention to the irrationality of witch trials and challenges society's beliefs and actions. The sketch serves as a commentary on the dangers of groupthink and the detrimental consequences of blindly following popular opinion without critically examining the evidence. In conclusion, Monty Python's witch burning sketch is a satirical and humorous portrayal of the illogical nature of witch hunts. By highlighting the absurd reasoning and irrationality behind accusations of witchcraft, the sketch effectively criticizes the ignorance and prejudice that often drive such events. Through humor, Monty Python prompts us to question and challenge blind belief and mob mentality..
Reviews for "The Impact of Monty Python's Witch Burning Sketch on British Comedy"
1) John - 2/5 - I found "Monty Python witch burning" to be extremely repetitive and unfunny. The jokes seemed forced and lacked subtlety. I understand that it's a classic sketch from a beloved comedy group, but it just didn't resonate with me. The portrayal of women as hysterical witches was also quite outdated and offensive. Overall, I was disappointed and I don't see the appeal of this particular sketch.
2) Emily - 1/5 - I absolutely hated "Monty Python witch burning." The whole premise of making fun of women accused of being witches is in poor taste. It's not funny to mock the persecution and oppression that women faced during that time. The sketch lacked creativity and relied on tired stereotypes. I couldn't understand why it has gained such a cult following. It's definitely not my cup of tea.
3) Robert - 2/5 - I must admit, I didn't find "Monty Python witch burning" amusing at all. It seemed like it was trying too hard to be funny and ended up falling flat. The overacting and exaggerated accents were distracting. I understand that it's supposed to be a silly comedy sketch, but it just didn't connect with me. I much prefer Monty Python's other works, which I find to be much smarter and more enjoyable.
4) Jessica - 1/5 - "Monty Python witch burning" left me feeling perplexed and unamused. The portrayal of women was downright sexist and the sketch lacked any real substance. It felt like a lazy attempt at humor and relied on cheap gags instead of clever writing. I expected more from Monty Python and was disappointed with this particular sketch. It's definitely not one of their finest moments.