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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what way is Amusa related to Elesin?

2. What is proof of the new bride's virginity?

3. The characters in the play are _________________.

4. The praise-singer warns Elesin about being spoiled by what, at the beginning of Act 1, Scene 1?

5. Elesin's love and appreciation for life is ________________ for his community.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Joseph's confusion of the drums symbolize in regard to Elesin's situation?

2. Describe Elesin Oba's character, as presented by Soyinka.

3. Explain and identify the background of Soyinka's story.

4. What is the significance of the term, "my mother", in African culture?

5. What is Elesin doing when Amusa comes to arrest him?

6. What does Olunde tell Pilkings about stopping the death of his father, Elesin?

7. What information is given about the Yoruba in the author's note?

8. What does Amusa's note say in the dance of Act 1, Scene 4? Why does Amusa write the note?

9. What will happen to the king if Elesin fails to make the transition?

10. Olunde is inspired by an English captain. Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does anti-colonialism have to do with the driving forces of the play? How do Soyinka's own feelings of anti-colonialism come to the surface with his writing of "Death and the King's horseman"?

Essay Topic 2

The British and the Yoruban people are very different in belief and practice, although some similarities do exist between each of the cultures. What do the similarities add to the story? What does Soyinka hope to do by including such similarities? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

How do the roles of individualism and altruism work in opposition of one another throughout the play? Explain your reasoning using in-text citations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 718 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample