Scene 5 Analysis: Death and The King's Horseman

Scene 5 Analysis
Death and the King’s Horseman

Overall Summary
Act Five
The beginning of this act takes place in Elesin’s prison cell with his bride. Simon walks in.
Simon and Elesin converse. Elesin grieves the harm that Simon’s involvement has done to both his people and the entire Yoruba world.
Simon leaves to find Jane after he hears her calling out for her husband from elsewhere while they are talking.
Elesin spends their absence sorting through his thoughts about what he believes transpired when he was unable to carry out his duty. He initially believed that his gods had
abandoned him. Later, he began to believe that maybe his marriage, and blaming his bride had sapped his courage and will.
Simon and Jane then return. Jane asks Simon to open the door so Iyaloja can speak with Elesin.
When this is eventually accepted, Iyaloja insults fun of Elesin for his incapacity and failure to carry out his duty, hinting to the severe consequences of this.
Following much debate between Elesin and Iyaloja, the women enter with a bolt of material that appears to be covering an object or someone.
Elesin calls the object inside the fabric a “courier,” though it’s not immediately apparent who or what it contains. It seems he has some unfinished business with the courier and
needs to talk to him about it. However, since he isn’t permitted to approach the bolt, he begs them to expose what is inside so he can communicate with “it”.
When Iyaloja lifts the cover, Olunde’s body is laying there. Olunde seemed to have given his life in order to fulfill his father’s purpose.
Elesin uses his own chain to strangle himself after realizing his son had died.
• Simon is called out by Iyaloja for his continuous inability to comprehend their traditions and for attempting to assist Elesin now that he is deceased. Moreover, she
screams at him for attempting to block Elesin’s vision. Then, according to protocol, she sends the bride to close and dirt Elesin’s eyelids.
Elesin & Pilkings Conversation
• Elesin tells Simon that he has not only ruined his life but has destroyed many lives. “The
night is not at peace,ghostly one. The world is not at peace. You have shattered the peace
of the world for ever. There is no sleep in the world tonight.”
• However, Pilkings shrugs it off and states that he is not regretful and that it was his duty.
• Pilkings as the District Officer had a responsibility (duty) to keep Elesin from committing
suicide
• Elesin’s duty and role in the Yoruba community was to die.
• Both of them had important duties to fulfill and that is the main point of conflict. However,
Elesin’s inability to do his duty has more far-reaching consequences for his people.
Elesin’s Self-reflection
• Elesin attempts to blame others for his downfall before considering
himself. “my weakness came not merely from the abomination of the
white man who came violently into my fading presence, there was also a
weight of longing on my earth-held limbs”
• Elesin’s own ties to the world of the living and all its luxuries (which had
plenty of access to as a chief) were evidence that he himself did not have
the willpower to die.
Elesin’s Failure
• The ritual was significant to Yoruba community and so it had to take place
at a certain time. Exactly 30 days after the King’s death and at a specific
time in the night.
• In the end, Elesin died but his death had no honour because he did not die
at the right moment of the ritual. Elesin delayed and provided Pilkings a
chance to arrest him an excuse to not die like he should have.
The role of the Yoruba community
• Iyaloja’s harsh words were partially unwarranted because if it were not for
the Yoruba society that allowed Elesin to abuse his power and freedom,
Elesin may have felt more obliged to do what was right for the community
• Elesin is guilty of self indulged but the community was the one that
indulged him and fed him the delusions of how mighty and honorable he
was.
Olunde’s Sacrifice
• Olunde’s decision to commit suicide strengthened the Yoruba culture. It
showed that even after the whites took him away to England and as he
lived amongst them for four years he still had faith in his culture and
people.
• Though, I believe that his self sacrifice did not justify or cover up his
father’s inability to complete his duty.
• Elesin then committed suicide perhaps to atone for his sins and possibly
because he had nothing to live for after losing his honor and son.
• The end (: of my presentation and the play
• Mazvita

Scene 5 Analysis: Death and The King's Horseman

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Scene 5 Analysis

Death and the King’s Horseman

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