Death and the King's Horseman Mortality Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Act.Line

Quote #10

PILKINGS [in a tired voice]: Was this what you wanted?

IYALOJA: No child, it is what you brought to be, you who play with strangers' lives, who even usurp the vestments of our dead, yet believe that the stain of death will not cling to you. The gods demanded only the old expired plantain but you cut down the sap-laden shoot to feed your pride. (5.153)

Now that Elesin is dead, Iyaloja turns her venom on Simon Pilkings. She seems to be blaming him for the fact that Olunde sacrificed himself to redeem his father's failure.