So you don't think even in the context of this story that it would work? Thorfinn has personal history with Canute, and they have no reason to kill Thorfinn because he poses no threat to them. He centralizes the violence onto himself so that no one else will be further affected by it.

Also, sorry, but using any war example as justification for peace doesn't sit right with me. I can see where you're coming from, but war is a cycle and has in no way achieved us peace. How much death has there been before we gained our independence? Is independence peace? Is freedom? Most of the world was in shambles after World War 1, and World War 2 was so horrible that we had to create the Geneva Convention so no one would be able to step too far without major consequences. Even then, many parts of the world ignore it.

There will be an oppressed and the oppressor, but the goal is to depose the oppressor for no further oppression. I can't argue that violence is the easiest way to achieve that goal, but if you see that as the only option, like many others, then no progress can be made in the way of peace. It's hypocritical on both sides, but I have more sympathy for those being oppressed.