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Difficulty: EasyTextual Analysis of Prescribed African Drama

Read the following line spoken by Elesin Oba in Wole Soyinka's play *Death and the King's Horseman*:

"Life is honour. It ends when honour ends."

In the context of the play's plot, what primary ritual duty must Elesin Oba fulfill to uphold this honour following the death of the King?

  1. Commit ritual suicide to accompany the deceased King to the ancestral realmAnswer
  2. B
    Lead the Oyo army into battle against the British colonial forces
  3. C
    Surrender the sacred royal crown directly to District Officer Simon Pilkings
  4. D
    Go into permanent voluntary exile from the kingdom of Oyo

Answer

Commit ritual suicide to accompany the deceased King to the ancestral realm
In Wole Soyinka's *Death and the King's Horseman*, the central plot driver is the Yoruba custom requiring the King's Horseman (Elesin Oba) to commit ritual suicide after the King's death to ensure cosmic harmony and accompany the King to the realm of the ancestors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the quote and context within Wole Soyinka's prescribed drama *Death and the King's Horseman*.
Elesin Oba emphasizes that life without honour is meaningless according to traditional Yoruba belief.
Establishing the thematic core of communal duty and honour.
2
Identify the central plot premise regarding Elesin Oba's title and role.
As the King's chief horseman, Yoruba custom demands that he willingly undergo ritual suicide upon the King's death to guide the monarch safely to the world of the ancestors.
Direct textual knowledge of the prescribed African drama.

Key Concept

Textual Analysis of Prescribed African Drama - Plot and Cultural Context in *Death and the King's Horseman*
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Textual Analysis of Prescribed African Drama

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