Death And The Kings Horseman: Giving Up The Battle Essay -- essays res

From the horse opera perspective, it is hard to understand ritual suicide as anything positivist or helpful to the keep. There almost seems to be no western equivalent to the "duty" of Elesin in Death and the Kings Horseman. However, Wole Soyinka gives us a same situation in Janes description of a captain blowing up a ship to save the people on the shore. Its a moment of double-dealing on Britains part, both trying to prevent Elesins suicide and lauding a Western suicide which purports to do the exact same thing - save the living from destruction. Its also clear that Olunde sees this ridiculous parallel, besides he does not do Jane see the connection. Instead, he lets the matter drop, which, in the Western perspective is puzzling. We fatality everyone to see the truth and explain it, and think worse of Olunde because of his inability to turn in Jane whats really going on. But it is really his own unique standpoint and actions that show that what he does is much sm arter than our want of brute force.Olundes intelligence stems from opinion before acting. Yes, Jane gives perfect ammunition to explain why his father preservation his people from destruction and going to a much better place, but that doesnt mean the best solution is for him to point this out. Changing peoples opinions in interchange might be a Western virtue, but opening ones trap is not always the best strategic option. Olundes education and background combine give him a unique vantagepoint on action, and he...