Imperialism is the practice when one country exerts its force over another region to promote its own political, economic, and or social ideology over another group. Modern imperialism has

mostly been executed by European countries over the indigenous peoples in the Americas, Africa, and in Asia. The play _Death and the King’s Horseman_ by Wole Soyinka, takes place in Nigeria

and highlights the effects of Imperialism. Imperialism took place in Nigeria by the British from the 1900’s to 1960 (Britanica). Over that period of time, the British deemed many traditional

Nigerian practices illegal because they were unethical and violated by British law. In the play, the “unethical” act is the ritual suicide of the King’s Horseman after the king dies. The

understand the effects of imperialism because Olunde can be both colonized and a colonist. Olunde has seen the advancements of British society and sees they are not without merit but stays

true to his traditional beliefs. Olunde is able to draw from his experiences in England and in Nigeria to see how Imperialism has prevented people from understanding one another. Olunde goes

to study medicine in England, a very ambitious endeavor considering he has to travel so far from his home country. Olunde demonstrates very “western” traits of individualism and

self-success by challenging himself. Jane even calls his study of Western medicine in England a “good cause” (50). Yet he never forgets where he came from and values of the Yoruba people who

live under British Occupation. Olunde returns to Nigeria in homage to the traditional Yoruba practices, when his father is unable to uphold the family’s honor he takes it upon himself.

Olunde truly is a unique figure in that he does not see the economic success of the European countries and leave Nigeria behind he learns from them yet also remains true to his convictions

of Yoruba philosophy of family honor and representation. Olunde does not commit suicide out of fear, he does it because he believes he has the responsibility to be honorable and redeem the

family name in light of his father’s shortcomings. In the presence of imperialism Olinde’s sacrifice can be remembered as honorable and as an ideal of Yoruban culture, unable to to be taken

away by European Colonists. Olunde’s unique position in understanding imperialism is also shown through his disposition when interacting with the English. Olunde is a mixture between

European influences and Yoruban culture. When speaking with Jane he even compliments some English ways stating that “I found your people quite admirable in many ways” (50). And yet, his

philosophy is very much hands off. He does not believe the British have the right to impose their beliefs on them, yet similarly Yoruba should be free to do as they see fit amongst

themselves. Yet he goes on to question “what is the good cause for which you desecrate an ancestral mask?” (50). During this conversation he does not take it as a personal offense such as

Amusa did, but still questions their intentions. He does not have hard line beliefs as others yet he has not acquiesced to the ways of the British. This is demonstrated by his rational

measured responses in conversation, he does not yell even when Jane raises her voice. Through Olunde’s interaction with Jane we see the only time in which the barriers of imperialism are

able to be broken and there is some conversation between the two cultures, albeit Olunde is much better at switching and understanding the two sides than Jane. Olunde questions the

“developed” world’s conflict regarding death and destruction stating that “Is that worse than mass suicide? Mrs. Pilkings, what do you call what those young men are sent to do by their

generals in this war? Of course you have also mastered the art of calling things by names which don’t remotely describe them.” (53–4) Here, Olunde is referencing World War Two and how even

the developed world has massive death. This is can also be veiled critique World War Two, which was a fight against Europe and lead to the destruction of the Jewish people. To the Yoruban

people it is also a war that is fought for the colonies, in both Europe and Africa the people and culture are being destroyed in the Jewish people and Yoruban people. Jane believes that is

it is necessary to go to war if it is to defend values in this case freedom, Olunde struggles through to understand how she can justify this though if it is creating so much damage. The

irony here though is both are arguing that inflicting death a premature death is necessary to defend their values. In the case of Olunde it is for honor while for Jane she justifies it as

for freedom. This lines up with their world philosophy of Jane being from a post renaissance Europe defends western values of individualism and self-determination (Renaissance). Meanwhile

Olunde argues for “Old World” values of honor and place in society. Only when each person is able to explain their perspective is any progress made in conversing with another. Despite being

able to occupy a British perspective, Olunde never wavers from his Yoruba beliefs in the face of imperialism. After studying in England and seeing the developed world it would be easy for

Olunde to abandon his native beliefs. After studying in England, he believes that honor is more important than individual success based on English values. He criticizes them saying, “I have

spent four years among your people. I discovered that you have no respect for that which you do not understand” (50). He finds their ways as very intolerant. This links back Soyinka’s

assertion that the play should not be read just as a clash of imperial cultures but rather an inability to understand each other. Here, Olunde lays it out explicitly saying that they cannot

understand what is in the confines of their ideology. Olunde’s arc ends with him committing suicide because as Iyoloja explains, “Because he could not bear to let honour fly out of doors, he

stopped it with his life” (75). This sacrifice is done because Olunde would rather die than undergo the scrutiny of having to scrutiny of being from a family that is shamed. Throughout the

play we see both the imperial British and the native Yoruban people unable to understand each other. The obstruction to this is how imperialism also makes it it difficult to understand each

other. Without the ability to converse both cultures are not able to make any progress as the cultures clash. Olunde is the sole person able to have insight into each culture. He offers a

perspective that calls for a freer and more understanding dialogue. When he is cost his honor due to the enforcement of British imperialism he takes he commits suicide in attempt to rid

himself of a dishonorable life. By making this sacrifice he is able to make the point that upholding one’s honor is not just part of a culture but also to demonstrate understanding to one’s

values. By creating an understanding is the only way to overcome imperialism’s effects. Works Cited The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Imperialism.” _Encyclopædia Britannica_,

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 30 Dec. 2014, www.britannica.com/topic/imperialism. “Reniassance.” _History of the Renaissance in Europe: A Rebirth, Renewal, Rediscovery_,

history-world.org/renaissance.htm.