Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka

Subject: Drama, World Literature (African Literature) Grade Level: 11-12 (due to mature themes and complex language) Time Allotment: This lesson plan is designed for a unit of 3-4 weeks, with reading assignments, class discussions, and activities.

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will analyze the play's exploration of themes like tradition, colonialism, duty, and mortality.
  • Students will develop an understanding of Yoruba culture and its significance in the play.
  • Students will appreciate the use of dramatic devices (symbolism, character foils, chorus) by Soyinka.
  • Students will engage in critical discussions about the play's relevance to contemporary issues.

Materials:

  • Copies of "Death and the King's Horseman" by Wole Soyinka
  • Whiteboard/Projector
  • Markers/Pens
  • Chart paper
  • Handouts with discussion prompts/analysis worksheets (including a map of Nigeria)
  • Access to online resources about Yoruba culture (optional)

Lesson Outline:

Week 1: Introduction & Setting the Stage

  1. Introduction (Day 1):

✵ Introduce Wole Soyinka, a Nobel Prize-winning playwright, and his context as a Nigerian writer.

✵ Briefly discuss the play's historical setting (colonial Nigeria) and the significance of the Elesin.

✵ Class discussion: What are some potential conflicts that might arise when tradition clashes with modernity?

  1. Yoruba Culture & Themes (Day 2-3):

✵ Students read the opening scenes, focusing on the introduction of characters and the upcoming ritual.

✵ Class discussion: Introduce key elements of Yoruba culture (ancestor veneration, the concept of "Ori," praise singing).

✵ Analyze the play's early themes: tradition, duty, and the role of the king's horseman.

✵ (Optional Activity) Research and present on a specific aspect of Yoruba culture relevant to the play.

Week 2: Dramatic Devices & Character Analysis

  1. Symbolism & The Chorus (Day 4-5):

✵ Students delve deeper into Act I, focusing on the use of symbolism (pilgrim staff, the drumming).

✵ Analyze the role of the chorus as commentators and carriers of tradition.

✵ Class discussion: How does Soyinka utilize symbolism to convey meaning?

✵ What is the function of the chorus in the play?

  1. Elesin & Olunde: Character Foils (Day 6-7):

✵ Students read through Act II, focusing on the contrasting characters of Elesin and his son, Olunde.

✵ Class discussion: Identify how Elesin and Olunde represent different perspectives on tradition.

✵ Analyze them as foils, highlighting their motivations and actions.

Week 3: Conflict & The Cost of Tradition

  1. The Arrival of Simon Pilkings & Jane (Day 8-9):

✵ Students explore the arrival of the British District Officer and his wife, representing colonial presence.

✵ Class discussion: How does Pilkings' intervention disrupt the play's events?

✵ Analyze the tension between upholding tradition and the influence of colonialism.

  1. Choices & Consequences (Day 10-11):

✵ Students read through Acts III and IV, focusing on Elesin's internal conflict and tragic choices.

✵ Class discussion: Analyze the ethical dilemma faced by Elesin.

✵ Explore the concept of tragic flaw and its role in the play's climax.

Week 4 (Optional):

  1. Open Ending & Contemporary Relevance (Day 12-13):

✵ Discuss the play's ambiguous ending and its different interpretations.

✵ Class discussion: How does the play remain relevant to contemporary issues like cultural identity and social change?

✵ What wider themes about duty, mortality, and societal expectations can be drawn from the play?

  1. Performance & Visual Representation (Day 14):

✵ (Optional) Research and discuss different theatrical productions of "Death and the King's Horseman."

✵ Create a storyboard depicting key scenes or characters from the play.

Assessment:

  • Class participation in discussions and presentations
  • Written assignments analyzing themes, characters, and dramatic devices
  • In-class essays or creative writing pieces inspired by the play
  • Optional: Research paper on a specific aspect of Yoruba culture

Differentiation:

  • Provide scaffolding for struggling readers by offering summaries of complex passages or annotated scripts.
  • Challenge advanced students with research on the historical context of colonialism in Nigeria.