Question

Discuss the role of individual duty in Death and the King’s Horseman

Answer 1

Since every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation, every possession, a duty; Wole Soyinka in his play Death and the King’s horseman tries to show the commitment of the characters towards their duties and the conflicts that arise when they try to fulfill their duties. Elesin a king’s horseman enjoys a luxurious life of rich food and fine clothing, due to the rewards for his position. However after the king's death in return for these rights, Elesin has to perform his religious duty, towards his king, of committing the ritual suicide he faces a dilemma as his self-interest and selfishness overrides his duties.