Question

Difficulty: MediumTextual Analysis of Prescribed African Drama

In Femi Osofisan's prescribed African play *Women of Owu*, match each character on the left with their corresponding dramatic role or thematic function in the play on the right.

  • Erelu AfunThe tragic queen mother and matriarch who embodies the grief, resilience, and total ruin of the fallen Owu kingdom.
  • AnlugbuaThe deified ancestral hero of Owu who descends to inspect the city's destruction only to realize the vanity of human war.
  • OrisayeThe visionary maiden-priestess whose prophetic madness portends retributive doom for the victorious Allied forces.
  • GesindeThe herald and soldier of the Allied forces who serves as the callous executor of imperial orders against the captives.

Answer

Erelu Afun matches the tragic queen mother and matriarch who embodies the grief of Owu; Anlugbua matches the deified ancestral hero who witnesses the ruin of his city; Orisaye matches the visionary maiden-priestess who predicts doom for the conquerors; Gesinde matches the herald and soldier of the Allied forces who executes imperial commands.
Each character is correctly matched to their canonical role in Femi Osofisan's *Women of Owu*: Erelu Afun is the grieving matriarch of Owu; Anlugbua is the descended founder deity; Orisaye is the prophetic maiden-priestess; and Gesinde is the officer of the invading Allied forces.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the dramatic role of Erelu Afun in *Women of Owu*
Identify her as the royal matriarch who leads the women in mourning their destroyed city.
She serves as the central figure of tragic suffering and political dignity among the captives.
2
Analyze the divine character Anlugbua
Identify him as the ancestral founder deity called back to earth by the city's tragedy.
His apparition highlights the theme of divine helplessness and historical retribution.
3
Examine the characterization of Orisaye and Gesinde
Match Orisaye with prophetic doom and Gesinde with the execution of Allied forces' commands.
Orisaye represents spiritual foresight while Gesinde represents military enforcement.

Key Concept

Character Roles and Textual Analysis in Prescribed African Drama
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