The Greek finance minister has been doing the rounds in Europe, meeting investors and pronouncing to the media that the country is in no danger of default. It's a heroic effort from someone in a desperate situation but is somewhat reminiscent of the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

If you remember, the knight refuses to admit he is beaten even though he loses a succession of limbs, proclaiming that his injury is just a "flesh wound" and imploring his foe to fight on.