40 pages • 1 hour read
Wole SoyinkaDeath and the King's Horseman
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1975A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Premiering in 1975, Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka is set in World War II-era Oyo, Nigeria, where Elesin Oba must die by ritual suicide following the death of the Yoruba king. The British colonial government intervenes to stop him, revealing deep cultural tensions while exploring Elesin’s introspective journey toward fulfilling his duty and facing mortality.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka is widely praised for its powerful exploration of cultural clash and duty, with its rich language and poetic dialogue standing out. Critics also commend its deep engagement with Yoruba traditions. However, some find the play's complex themes and historical context potentially challenging for casual readers. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and impactful work.
Who Should Read Death and the King's Horseman?
Readers who appreciate complex cultural narratives, postcolonial literature, and the exploration of ritual versus modernity will enjoy Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka. Fans of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's A Grain of Wheat will find it particularly engaging.