How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Quote #1
MINSTREL: Bravely bold Sir Robin ride forth from Camelot. He was not afraid to die, oh brave Sir Robin. He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways […] to be mashed into a pulp, or to have his eyes gouged out […] his kneecaps split, and his body burned away, and his limbs all hacked and mangled, brave Sir Robin.
The Pythons include the very traditional medieval figure of the minstrel, who was hired by lords and knights to sing songs of chivalry. The costumes are very convincing and the music is instantly recognizable as a traditional old English melody. But the words? Decidedly nontraditional.
Quote #2
GOD: Arthuurrr, Arthuurrr, king of the Britons. Oh don't grovel. One thing I can't stand is people groveling.
ARTHUR: Sorry
GOD: And don't apologize. Every time I try to talk to someone it's "sorry" this and "forgive me" that and "I'm not worthy." What are you doing now?
ARTHUR: I'm averting my eyes oh Lord.
GOD: Well don't. It's like those miserable psalms, they're so depressing.
This is a swipe at the traditional way that most believers tend to view God—a deity to be worshiped and feared. This God can't stand it. He seems to want some kind of authentic face-to-face engagement with people. What a radical idea.
Quote #3
DENNIS' MOTHER: Well how'd you become king then?
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'm your king.
Here's a mashup between Christian and pagan beliefs. Is the Lady of the Lake in the Bible? No, but that doesn't stop Arthur from linking her presence to his divine right as king, which implies a right given to him by the Christian God. The legends of Arthur are chock full of pagan figures like sorcerers and witches.