A Monty Python Witch The Monty Python witch sketch is a well-known comedic scene from the British sketch comedy show Monty Python's Flying Circus. The sketch involves a group of villagers accusing a woman of being a witch and going through absurd and comedic trials to prove her guilt. The sketch begins with a group of villagers presenting a woman to Sir Bedevere, a knight who is tasked with determining if she is a witch. Sir Bedevere questions the woman and attempts to find evidence of her being a witch. The questions and evidence are absurd, featuring comical reasoning such as "she turned me into a newt" and "witches burn, and wood burns, so witches must be made of wood." The comedic trials to prove the woman's guilt include weighing her against a duck to see if she floats, since witches are believed to float due to their connection to the devil.
" The comedic trials to prove the woman's guilt include weighing her against a duck to see if she floats, since witches are believed to float due to their connection to the devil. When the woman does not float, the villagers still conclude that she is a witch because ducks also float, and therefore the woman must be made of wood like a duck. The witch sketch is known for its absurd logic and humorous wordplay.
The Roman Festival of Lupercalia
N.S. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise.
Updated on January 14, 2020Lupercalia is one of the most ancient of the Roman holidays (one of the feriae listed on ancient calendars from even before the time Julius Caesar reformed the calendar). It is familiar to us today for two main reasons:
- It is associated with Valentine's Day.
- It is the setting for Caesar's refusal of the crown that was made immortal by Shakespeare, in his Julius Caesar. This is important in two ways: the association of Julius Caesar and the Lupercalia gives us some insight into the final months of Caesar's life as well as a look at the Roman holiday.
The name of the Lupercalia was talked about a lot in the wake of the 2007 discovery of the legendary Lupercal cave where, supposedly, the twins Romulus and Remus were suckled by a she-wolf.
The Lupercalia may be the longest-lasting of the Roman pagan festivals. Some modern Christian festivals, like Christmas and Easter, took on elements of earlier pagan religions, but they are not essentially Roman, pagan holidays. Lupercalia may have started at the time of the founding of Rome (traditionally 753 B.C.) or even before. It ended about 1200 years later, at the end of the 5th century A.D., at least in the West, although it continued in the East for another few centuries. There may be many reasons why Lupercalia lasted so long, but most important must have been its wide appeal.
It satirizes how people in the past would accuse others of witchcraft based on flimsy evidence and irrational beliefs. The Monty Python witch sketch showcases the comedy troupe's ability to use absurdity and absurd logic to create memorable and entertaining comedy. It remains a popular and often referenced sketch in comedy history..
Reviews for "Monty Python's Top Witch Moments: Memorable Quotes and Scenes"
1. Name: Sarah
Rating: 2/5
Review: I had high expectations for "Monty Python Witch" but was left disappointed. The humor fell flat for me, and I found most jokes to be repetitive and predictable. The storyline lacked depth and failed to engage me. Overall, it felt like a series of disjointed sketches rather than a cohesive and entertaining film. Perhaps this style of humor just isn't for me, but I was left unimpressed.
2. Name: James
Rating: 3/5
Review: While "Monty Python Witch" had its moments, I couldn't fully appreciate the film. I admire the creativity and quirkiness of the Monty Python team, but some of the jokes and gags went completely over my head. It felt like an inside joke that I wasn't a part of, which left me feeling disconnected from the humor. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, making it difficult to fully invest in the storyline. I can understand why it has a cult following, but personally, it didn't resonate with me as much as I had hoped.
3. Name: Emma
Rating: 2/5
Review: I found "Monty Python Witch" to be chaotic and confusing. The constant jumping from one scene to another made it difficult to follow the narrative, and I often found myself wondering what was happening. The humor, too, didn't resonate with me, as I prefer more subtle and witty jokes rather than the slapstick style that dominates this film. I can appreciate the cult status of Monty Python's work, but this particular film missed the mark for me. It lacked the cleverness and originality I expected, leaving me disappointed overall.
4. Name: John
Rating: 2/5
Review: I'll be honest, I just didn't get "Monty Python Witch." The humor was too absurd and nonsensical for my taste. I struggled to find any semblance of a plot, and the constant barrage of over-acting and exaggerated characters became tiresome. I can see why some people find it funny, but it simply wasn't my cup of tea. I couldn't connect with the film on any level and ended up feeling like I wasted my time.