Dec 23, 2009

A Dance of the Forests | A Dance of the Forests

At a glance:

Author: Wole Soyinka
First Published: 1963
Type of Work: Play
Type of Plot: Mythic
Time of Work: 1960
Setting: Nigeria
Genres: Drama, Postcolonial literature, Mythological literature
Subjects: Africa or Africans, Tradition, Mythology or myths, Race, Betrayal, Religion, Gods or goddesses, Rites or ceremonies, Reincarnation, Feasting or feasts
Locales: Nigeria

Characters Discussed

Forest Father or Forest Head, the chief god who controls the universe of this play. In the pantheon of Yoruba gods, he is called Osanyin (oh-SAH-nyihn). He is the supreme arbiter who rules both humans and lesser gods. Because he represents the divine qualities of justice and mercy, he despairs of the continuous evil of humanity’s history but believes that humankind may be improved if mortals can be made to admit the consequences of their acts as part of history. He designs the dance to expose past and present wickedness. He is concerned and sympathetic...

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A Dance of the Forests | A Dance of the Forests

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

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