Death and the King's Horseman isn't just about a clash of cultures—it's also about a clash of religions. Yoruba spirituality and Elesin's attempts to confront mortality and the afterlife are very much at the heart of the story, and Soyinka himself sees the spiritual dilemmas that the play presents as the key thing going on. The play definitely prompts us to think about different religions and customs and how they intersect and clash, dropping references to Islam and Christianity as well as lots of discussion of Yorubam religious practices.
Questions About Religion
- Why do you think the play references the conversion of characters like Amusa and Joseph?
- Simon and Jane are the play's two primary Christian characters. How is Christianity presented in the story, and why is that portrayal significant?
- Do you think Yoruba religion and traditions end up presented as tragedy or triumph at the end of the play? Why? Use the text to support your answer.
Chew on This
By showing the richness of Yoruba traditions while simultaneously failing to show the British characters actively engaged in any kind of religion, Soyinka suggests the emptiness of British customs and religion.
The greatest religious misunderstanding in the play isn't between the British and the Yoruba—it's between Elesin and himself.