Ready Reference Treatise: Death and the King's Horseman

“Death and the King’s Horseman” by Wole Soyinka was first published in 1975. The story of the play is based on a real incident.

The incident had taken place in Nigeria during the British colonial rule. There was an important native chief who was going to commit ritual suicide, but he was prevented from doing so by the colonial authorities.

On one hand, the authorities prevented him from committing suicide, but on the other hand, the chief’s own intention comes under question in the play. Thus a problem is posed before the community, and it disturbs the community’s balance.

Ready Reference Treatise: Death and the King's Horseman
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
Act Four
Act Five
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis