Critical Analysis of The Battle of Maldon
Critical Analysis of The Battle of Maldon
They way of life during the time period of THE BATTLE of MALDON was very different than the way we live today. In that day and age, violence played a huge role in social status of individuals as well as the society as a whole. The will and skill of Kingian non-violence would be met with laughter and disbelief. To the people living in this time period war was a way of life. The soldiers who fought, Eadwaeard, Aetheric, and Godric, among others, were honored for their bravery and willingness to sacrifice their own lives for their lords and their people. The soldiers would probably be bombarded with comments of cowardice had they tried to win a battle using non-violent methods. Much like the sons of Odda, who fled the battle, were deemed cowards by this poem.
In a more modern society, people are still skeptical if non-violence is and effective way to bring about change and win “battles.” Can this controversy of violence and non-violence be solved by stating that, if the will and the skill are followed correctly and with enough determination, all conflicts can be solved using non-violent methods? I believe “yes” is the correct answer to this question. If the Anglo-Saxons had a set of principles and steps to follow they would not have lived such a violent way of life. “More violence does not result in a non-violent situation. A violent force might quiet a lesser force of violence, but it cannot create non-violence.”
Dr. King’s first principle states “non-violence is the way of life for courageous people. It is a positive way to be rid of forces of injustice.” During THE BATTLE of MALDON, violence was not necessarily used as a tool against injustice, rather it was a way to gain more land and provide better lives for the people behind the violence. The men who supported the violence, and fought the battles were looked up to as heroes and noble men of great courage. Had society heard of King’s first principle these men may have been seen very differently. I think that this first principle of Dr. King’s is the keystone for the others. If this first principle had caught on, the other 5 principles would follow closely behind, and a system of non-violence would be feasible.
“The beloved community is the framework for the future.” The Anglo-Saxons...