Abstract  Envy and need: A study of violence in the oldest Grimm tales This essay analyzes the violence and power descriptions in three different fairytales of Kinder- und Hausmärchen by the Grimm brothers. The analyzed fairytales are Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella and Snow White. Questions answered are in which literary contexts violence and power occurs, what the motives of the abusers are, and what mutual similarities or differences the fairytales display.    The violence described can be linked to various reasons such as resentment, envy and power, and descriptions include both physical and psychological violence. Benefits are gained through manipulation or power positions.   The result show that there are similarities between the fairytales, although some differences occur. Envy and resentment only occur in Cinderella and in Snow White, however not in Hansel and Gretel. Violence is used by the antagonists as well as the protagonists. Throughout the stories antagonists use violence before the protagonists whose violence is mirrored as self-defense.