Suicide of Olunde

Death and the King’s Horseman

            By: Wole Soyinka

There are many reasons why Olunde decided to commit suicide. First he wanted to show his people that at the end he didn’t betrayed them.  He wanted to show them that even though he went off to study with the “enemies” he still carried his traditions and beliefs. Second he was kind of obligated to do so, since his dad wasn’t able to commit suicide the ritual was that the son kills himself to hold the kings horse. Lastly Olunde wanted to save his father's house from shaming itself. He wanted to be remembered as an honored man. He wanted to be respected and be a hero to his people.