In Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka, the characters perceive the idea of death differently, creating a conflict between two different cultures within the play. One sees self-immolation as an inhuman and barbaric act and the other one as a ritual that will bring balance to the world. Considering Soyinka’s play in light of Ted Hughes’ essay, “Myth and Education”, the ideology of death reflects as an “ancient story” (Hughes 41) that is meaningful to Elesin and the other Yoruba worshippers. Referring to Hughes’ essay, people who lack knowledge about this myth will not apprehend the value of this religious ritual. This conflict leads to the death of Olunde, Elesin’s son, a character who is not meant to die. When seeing the dead body of his son, Elesin
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Thus, when he is not able to finish what he started, his little affair with Iyoloja’s future daughter in law becomes worthless and the audience perceives Elesin nothing more than a sexually aroused man. In “Myth and Education”, Hughes mentions “meaningless hieroglyphs” (Hughes 40). He explains how the word “Hitler” and “Crucifixion” are meaningless if the story behind these words is unknown (Hughes 40). This statement in his essay illustrates the concept of Elesin’s suicide attempt. In this case, in Death and the King’s Horseman, the Pilkings does not understand why Elesin is eager to kill himself. In other words, if characters, such as the Pilkings, does not understand one sacrificing himself is important, the death of the deceased will be meaningless because someone will try to prevent him from suicide. Hence, forcing another individual, who knows the story behind the myth, to complete the ritual. Elesin’s death is also an act of failure, shame, and desperation. He did not finish what God had planned for him. In fact, killing himself could be considered as an escape from his failures. Elesin came so far in his journey that, at the end, when he was not able to finish it, he
Thus, when he is not able to finish what he started, his little affair with Iyoloja’s future daughter in law becomes worthless and the audience perceives Elesin nothing more than a sexually aroused man. In “Myth and Education”, Hughes mentions “meaningless hieroglyphs” (Hughes 40). He explains how the word “Hitler” and “Crucifixion” are meaningless if the story behind these words is unknown (Hughes 40). This statement in his essay illustrates the concept of Elesin’s suicide attempt. In this case, in Death and the King’s Horseman, the Pilkings does not understand why Elesin is eager to kill himself. In other words, if characters, such as the Pilkings, does not understand one sacrificing himself is important, the death of the deceased will be meaningless because someone will try to prevent him from suicide. Hence, forcing another individual, who knows the story behind the myth, to complete the ritual. Elesin’s death is also an act of failure, shame, and desperation. He did not finish what God had planned for him. In fact, killing himself could be considered as an escape from his failures. Elesin came so far in his journey that, at the end, when he was not able to finish it, he