Painting: Charles Ernest Butler, King Arthur (1903), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
1The legendary King Arthur
In British legend, Arthur is the greatest king of Britain. As a boy, he pulls a magic sword out of a stone: only the true king can do it. Later, the Lady of the Lake gives him another sword, Excalibur.
From his castle of Camelot, he rules with wisdom and justice, helped by the wizard Merlin. His knights sit at the Round Table, where everybody is equal: Lancelot, Galahad, Bedevere, Gawain… They are brave, loyal and polite, and they protect the weak.
Their greatest adventure is the quest for the Holy Grail. In many versions, only Galahad, the purest knight, finds it.
2Compare the two Arthurs
Look at the painting, think about the legend, then think about the Arthur of the film. What is the same? What is different? Say it aloud with these phrases:
In the legend, Arthur is a brave and respected king, whereas in the film, a French soldier laughs at him.
Unlike the legendary Arthur, Monty Python's Arthur has no horse: his servant bangs coconuts.
The Arthur of the painting looks proud and powerful, while the Arthur of the film looks ridiculous.
He is not as heroic as the Arthur of the legend.
In both stories, Arthur and his knights are looking for the Holy Grail.