How we cite our quotes: Act.Line
Quote #1
My rein is loosened.
I am master of my Fate. When the hour comes
Watch me dance along the narrowing path
Glazed by the soles of my great precursors.
My soul is eager. I shall not turn aside. (1.36)
Elesin is trying to convince everyone that he is going to greet his fate cheerfully and without hesitation. But what's that quote from Hamlet about protesting too much again?
Quote #2
… Life is honour.
It ends when honour ends. (1.44)
Interesting, right? You know—since Elesin's honor actually goes away before he dies. Of course, he probably means that one can live on through their reputation, even after physical life is over… but an alternate reading is that if you overstay life's welcome, you are bound for destruction.
Quote #3
We know you for a man of honour. (1.45)
This is a constant refrain among the market women, including Iyaloja. They utter the phrase as a sign of respect and to affirm they know Elesin will do the right thing… right Elesin? Right?
Quote #4
Richly, richly, robe him richly
The cloth of honour is alari
Sanyan is the band of friendship
Boa-skin makes slippers of esteem. (1.62)
In preparation for Elesin's big sacrifice, Iyaloja directs the market women to prepare duds special enough for someone as courageous as Elesin. Ladies: Bust out your finery.
Quote #5
How can that be? In all my life
As Horseman of the King, the juiciest
Fruit on every tree was mine. I saw,
I touched, I wooed, rarely was the answer No.
The honour of my place, the veneration I
Received in the eye of man or woman
Prospered my suit and
Played havoc with my sleeping hours. (1.76)
Here, Elesin is describing what a big deal he has been in his lifetime and what a great reputation he's had. Apparently, he's been revered pretty much across the board. You know what they say about the higher they climb…
Quote #6
OLUNDE: I don't find it morbid at all. I find it rather inspiring. It is an affirmative commentary on life.
JANE: What is?
OLUNDE: The captain's self-sacrifice.
JANE: Nonsense. Life should never be thrown deliberately away. (4.78-81)
Jane and Olunde are discussing a British captain who was forced to blow himself up with a ship to prevent the vessel from endangering other people and ships. Olunde admires the self-sacrifice, whereas Jane apparently just can't get behind throwing your life away, no matter the reason.
Quote #7
How can I make you understand? He has protection. No one can undertake what he does tonight without the deepest protection the mind can conceive. What can you offer him in place of his peace of mind, in place of the honour and veneration of his own people? What would you think of your Prince if he refused to accept the risk of losing his life on this voyage? This… showing-the-flag tour of colonial possessions. (4.100)
When Jane suggests that Olunde should probably be relieved and grateful for her husband's assistance in preventing Elesin's suicide, Olunde tries to explain how much more important honor is than whatever her husband is trying to do "for" Elesin.
Quote #8
My young bride, did you hear the ghostly one? You sit and sob in your silent heart but say nothing to all this. First I blamed the white man, then I blamed my gods for deserting me. Now I feel I want to blame you for the mystery of the sapping of my will. But blame is a strange peace offering for a man to bring a world he has deeply wronged, and to its innocent dwellers. (5.42)
Even as he wants to rationalize his failure to pull off the suicide, Elesin seems to recognize that making excuses isn't really the honorable thing to do. He believes that he has "deeply wronged" the world—all of the bragging and bravado from earlier seem to be gone now.
Quote #9
Honour? White one, did you say you wanted my word of honour? (5.66)
This is Elesin talking to Simon Pilkings. He is blown away that Pilkings would ask him for his word of honor. There are a variety of reasons he might find this pretty shocking, but the number one contender? The fact that Simon's interference has basically taken away any pretense of Elesin as honorable. Sad stuff.