PORTRAYAL OF YORUBA METAPHYSICAL WORLD IN SOYINKA’S DEATH AND THE KING’S HORSEMAN AND THE STRONG BREED

Imam Abdulkadir

Abstract

This paper investigates Yoruba metaphysical world has portrayed in Wole Soyinka's Death and the King's Horseman and The Strong Breed. It involves an examination of the Yoruba myths, how and why they have been incorporated in the two texts. The study set out to achieve its objectives through utilisation of Sociological Theory, Myth Criticism and Stylistics. The content analysis of the plays involves close textual analysis which links details of style and characterisation to the metaphysical theme. The conclusion of the study is that Soyinka uses myths and rituals as raw material for his creative work. Soyinka however, does not bow fully to the prescriptions of his' people's myths and rituals. He introduces a new dimension to the people's social order. At the end of the plays, he has replaced the old order of subjection of the individual's will to societal prescriptions with individual choice and freedom.