Sources of Violence

Sources of Violence by Keith Hebden explains the motivators of violence. Hebden brings up a theme of violence in the Old and New Testament. He states, “… Christian witness might lead us to believe that God’s violence is a moral and practical option”. In V for Vendetta, V believes his acts of violence are for a good cause. V kills people, and destroys things in the hope to gain control over the government. The government has taken away citizen’s freedom. I think V justifies his actions for being a moral and practical option, because it’s for a greater cause. On the other hand, the government also probably justifies their actions for being a moral and practical option, because they feel their actions are the only way to save the country. Hebden also says, “The prophets, to whom we turn for visions of justice, and mercy, are rarely any gentler than the Judges, Kings, and Psalmists.” Like God, prophets are seen as morally just figures. Hebden says God and prophets who are seen as religious figures who are looked up to have committed violent acts. The government and V are both doing violent acts for the same reason God and the prophets did. Well at least they justify their acts and reasons the same way. However citizens do not look up to the government, and I’m not sure what they think of V. Citizens are probably confused if V is a villain or a hero, because of his violent acts. The acts of violence peaks my interest in this film, because it makes it hard to interpret if V is a hero or not. This adds to the understanding of the motifs in this film.

http://www.jesusradicals.com/sources-of-violence/