The famous witch from Monty Python is a comedic character portrayed in the British comedy sketch show called "Monty Python's Flying Circus." The show often parodied various aspects of society, including religion, politics, and culture. The famous witch sketch is a classic moment from the show that continues to be remembered and quoted today. In the sketch, a group of villagers accuse a woman of being a witch. They bring her before a self-proclaimed expert on witches, played by actor Michael Palin. The expert interrogates the accused witch using absurd and illogical criteria.
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It s the Python instinct to infuse these setups for hope and rationality in this satirical scenario; before they take great perverse pleasure in the ludicrous and pervert the entire line of rational questioning. We re meant to casually accept this mob rationalisation after Arthur casually fights off the infamous Black Knight who after his arm is lopped off, deflects that it s a flesh wound.
The expert interrogates the accused witch using absurd and illogical criteria. For example, one of the questions he asks is whether she weighs the same as a duck. When she denies this, the villagers conclude that she must be a witch because witches are believed to have the ability to transform into animals.
The famous witch from Monty Python
Monty Python
Witch Scene Script
Cast:
(V) Sir Vladimir
(King) King is Arthur, King of the Britains!
(W) 'Witch' woman
(P1,P2,P3) Peasants one, two and three
Peasants: We have found a witch! (A witch! a witch!)
Burn her burn her!
Peasant 1: We have found a witch, may we burn her?
(cheers)
Vladimir: How do you known she is a witch?
P2: She looks like one!
V: Bring her forward
(advance)
Woman: I'm not a witch! I'm not a witch!
V: ehh. but you are dressed like one.
W: They dressed me up like this!
All: naah no we didn't. no.
W: And this isn't my nose, it's a false one.
(V lifts up carrot)
V: Well?
P1: Well we did do the nose
V: The nose?
P1: . And the hat, but she is a witch!
(all: yeah, burn her burn her!)
V: Did you dress her up like this?
P1: No! (no no. no) Yes. (yes yeah) a bit (a bit bit a bit) But she has got a wart!
(P3 points at wart)
V: What makes you think she is a witch?
P2: Well, she turned me into a newt!
V: A newt?!
(P2 pause & look around)
P2: I got better.
(pause)
P3: Burn her anyway! (burn her burn her burn!)
(king walks in)
V: There are ways of telling whether she is a witch.
P1: Are there? Well then tell us! (tell us)
V: Tell me. what do you do with witches?
P3: Burn'em! Burn them up! (burn burn burn)
V: What do you burn apart from witches?
P1: More witches! (P2 nudge P1)
(pause)
P3: Wood!
V: So, why do witches burn?
(long pause)
P2: Cuz they're made of. wood?
V: Gooood.
(crowd congratulates P2)
V: So, how do we tell if she is made of wood?
P1: Build a bridge out of her!
V: Ahh, but can you not also make bridges out of stone?
P1: Oh yeah.
V: Does wood sink in water?
P1: No
P3: No. It floats!
P1: Let's throw her into the bog! (yeah yeah ya!)
V: What also floats in water?
P1: Bread
P3: Apples
P2: Very small rocks
(V looks annoyed)
P1: Cider
P3: Grape gravy
P1: Cherries
P3: Mud
King: A Duck!
(all look and stare at king)
V: Exactly! So, logically.
P1(thinking): If she ways the same as a duck. she's made of wood!
V: And therefore,
(pause & think)
P3: A witch! (P1: a witch)(P2: a witch)(all: a witch!)
V: We shall use my largest scales.
(V jumps down)
----------------------------end?---------------------------------
(walk over while cheering)
(push her into scale)
V: Right, remove the stops!
(wait while scales remains still)
All: A witch! burn her burn her!!
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The main idea of the sketch is to highlight the irrationality and mob mentality of witch hunts, which were prevalent in history. The arbitrary and nonsensical nature of the witch-hunting criteria showcased in the sketch is meant to ridicule the flawed logic behind such practices. By using humor, Monty Python effectively satirizes these superstitious beliefs and encourages critical thinking. The famous witch sketch from Monty Python has become one of the most iconic and memorable moments from the show. Its influence extends beyond the original broadcast, as it has been referenced and parodied in various forms of popular culture. The sketch's satirical examination of the hysteria and irrationality surrounding witch hunts continues to resonate with audiences, making it a timeless and significant comedic piece..
Reviews for "Myth and Magic: The Symbolism of the Monty Python Witch"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I found "The Famous Witch from Monty Python" to be a rather disappointing experience. The humor felt forced and often missed the mark for me. The plot seemed scattered and lacked a cohesive storyline that made it difficult to follow and engage with the film. Additionally, the characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them on any level. Overall, I was left feeling unimpressed and regretful of the time spent watching this movie.
2. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars
I have to say I was extremely disappointed with "The Famous Witch from Monty Python". The jokes were stale and predictable, and the comedic timing felt off throughout the entire film. The attempt at spoofing witch-themed movies fell flat, and the humor relied too heavily on crude and juvenile jokes. The pacing was also incredibly sluggish, making the movie feel much longer than it actually was. I would not recommend wasting your time with this lackluster and unfunny movie.
3. Emily - 2.5 out of 5 stars
"The Famous Witch from Monty Python" had its moments, but overall, it failed to live up to my expectations. While some scenes brought a smile to my face, the majority of the jokes fell flat and felt outdated. The storyline had potential, but it lacked substance and depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked the charm I was hoping for. Ultimately, this film left me feeling indifferent and unsatisfied. I would only recommend it to die-hard Monty Python fans who are willing to overlook its flaws.
4. Mark - 2 out of 5 stars
As a fan of Monty Python's work, I was excited to watch "The Famous Witch from Monty Python", but it fell short of my expectations. The comedy felt forced and lacked the cleverness and wit that I usually associate with the group's work. The film meandered along without a clear direction, and the attempts at humor often felt repetitive and uninspired. Some scenes, however, did manage to elicit a chuckle, but they were far too few and far between to salvage the overall experience. It's unfortunate to say, but I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a genuinely funny and entertaining experience.