Death and the king's horseman
Subtitle: authoritative text : backgrounds and contexts, criticism
By: Wole Soyinka ; edited by Simon Gikandi.
Contributors: Gikandi, Simon.
Edition: 1st ed.
Series: A Norton critical edition
Publisher: Norton
Published: 2003
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 228
Subjects: Soyinka, Wole; Yoruba (African people) -- Drama; Suicide -- Prevention -- Drama; British -- Nigeria -- Drama; Fathers and sons -- Drama; Nigeria -- Drama
Genres: Drama.
Description: Based on events that took place in 1946 in the ancient Yoruban city of Oyo, Soyinka's play addresses classic issues of cultural conflict, tragic decision-making, and the psychological mindsets of individuals and groups. The text of the play is accompanied by an introduction and explanatory annotations for the many allusions to traditional Nigerian myth and culture. "Backgrounds and Sources" helps readers understand Death and the King's Horseman's traditional African contexts and the role of theater in African culture. Included are a map of Yorubaland, discussions of Yoruban religious beliefs and cultural traditions, Soyinka on the various forms that theater has taken in African culture in order to survive, and Anthony Appiah on Soyinka's struggle with the problem of African identity in the creation of Death and the King's Horseman. Commentary on the play as both a theatrical production and a classroom text is provided by Gerald Moore, Tanure Ojaide, and Martin Rohmer. "Criticism" collects nine major essays on the play and the difficulties it presents to readers. Contributors include D.S. Izevbaye, Eldred Durosimi Jones, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Biodun Jeyifo, Wole Soyinka, Joan Hepburn, Adebayo Williams, David Richards, and Olakunle George. A chronology and Selected Bibliography are also included. - Cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 227-228).