This is one of the great scenes from one of my favorite movies. Monty Python and the Holy Grail makes me laugh each and every time I watch it. I probably laugh more when I watch it for the 250th time than I did the 1st time.
I really don’t consider myself a political person and really don’t align very well with either political party. But, if there was a Dennis the Peasant Party, I may have to consider joining up, even if it didn’t involve a “farcical aquatic ceremony”.
And, for the record, I’ve been known to drop a “Come and see the violence inherent in the system!”, every now and then for good measure.
Scene Three from Monty Python and the Holy Grail
King Arthur: I am your king.
Peasant Woman: Well, I didn’t vote for you.
King Arthur: You don’t vote for kings.
Peasant Woman: Well, how’d you become king, then?
[Angelic music plays… ]
King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king.
Dennis the Peasant: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
Arthur: Be quiet!
Dennis the Peasant: You can’t expect to wield supreme power just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
Arthur: [grabs Dennis] Shut up! Will you shut up?!
Dennis: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system!
Arthur: [shakes Dennis]Shut up!
Dennis: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I’m being repressed!
Arthur: Bloody Peasant!
Dennis: Ooh, what a giveaway!
THE COACH HAYS 