the gods are not to blame

She is the mother of six children: two under King Adetusa (Odewale and Aderepo), and four under King Odewale (Adewale, Adebisi, Oyeyemi, Adeyinka). This reworking of Oedipus Rex was part of the African Arts (Arts d'Afrique) playwriting contest in 1969. Rotimi was the son of Samuel Gladstone Enitan Rotimi a Yoruba steam-launch engineer (a successful director and producer of amateur theatricals)and Dorcas Adolae Oruene Addo an Ijaw drama enthusiast. : Aderopo is also accused of spreading the rumor that Odewale was the one who murdered the old king, Adetusa. This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers. An adaptation of the Greek classic Oedipus Rex, set in an indeterminate Yoruba kingdom, the story centers on Odewale, who is lured into a false sense of security, only to get somehow caught up in a somewhat consanguineous trail of events. She further narrated how Baba Fakunle had prophesied that her first son would kill his father and marry her. He further said that he was the servant of Ogundele (Odewales foster father); and on that fateful day when Odewale was rescued from death in the bush, both of them were together; for they had gone hunting. Odewale's horrible fate, whether it had been the Seer being silent, or even his parents not ordering his death. Gbonka: The former messenger of the late King Adetusa. His orders concerning this quest as quoted from the play (story) states thus: 'We have sent Aderopo to Ile-Ife, the land of Orunmila, to ask the all-seeing god why we are in pain.' Odewale begins to make accusations of a plot being made against him, spearheaded by Aderopo, to one of the village chiefs in response to Baba Fakunle's silence. Finally, she stated that Gbonka was the person who witnessed king Adetusas death. What first swims up to the surface of my memory when I remember this novel is "the place where three footpaths met". Baba Fakunle: A blind, old man, Baba Fakunle serves as a soothsayer to those who seek him. In an attempt to end this plague, king Odewale sent Aderopo (the son of late king Adetusa) to Ile-Ife in order to make enquires concerning the sufferings of the land and its inhabitants. On Kindle Scribe, you can add sticky notes to take handwritten notes in supported book formats. Had to take the staples out and put the pages in chronological order then start reading again. WhatsApp Ola Rotimi had an immense knowledge and interest in African cultures, as indicated in his ability to speak several ethnic languages, such as Yoruba, Ijaw, Hausa, and pidgin. Current wife of King Odewale. create no mistake, this wedding album is truly recommended for you. Ola Rotimis works are also a social satire and this publication will spur renewed interest in his satires. Odewale confesses that his life spiraled out of control when he killed a man. In the economic structure, one observes the resources the Yoruban culture considers vital to maintain wellness and health. It began with the prologue: In the land of Kutuje, a son was born to King Adetusa and his wife, Queen Ojuola, for they were the king and queen of the land of kutuje. Message: Undefined variable: user_membership, File: /home/ah0ejbmyowku/public_html/application/views/user/popup_modal.php 'The Gods Are Not To Blame' is a 1968 play and a 1971 novel by Ola Rotimi. "Proverbs deal with issues that border on the values, norms, institutions and artifacts of a society across the whole gamut of the people's experiences. Odewale says to the land that the biggest trouble today is not their sickness but instead the plague in their hearts. Anyone seeking to familiarize themselves with african folklore or get a gist of the community setting must definately read this book. If you compare Rex Warners Oedipus story (in Men and Gods) to Ola Rotimis The Gods Are Not to Blame, it is very easy to see the differences (and familiarities) of the mythical story. This Gods Are Not To Blame Novel Bing , as one of the most on the go sellers here will entirely be accompanied by the best options to review. [9][10] It was nominated for an award at the ESB Dublin Fringe Festival 2003. I believe the problem of man is with man himself.The fact that odewale aided the people of kutuje,was not a prove of leadership mandate.The tragedy that befell kutuje people took its turn after the coronation of odewale as king by either Odewale or the people, without consulting the gods.In our days we make same conclusions when we make people who have helped us come through storms as Lord over our affairs. At the end, the reader is left with a ringing conclusion one can never outrun fate. Recognizing the quirk ways to acquire this books Gods Are Not To Blame Novel is additionally useful. Gbonka: The former messenger of the late King Adetusa. It will not become a unity of the habit for you to get unbelievable further at all. Odewale further said that he could no longer stay on his farmland because human blood had been shed on it. Your email address will not be published. The Gods Are Not to Blame is influenced by Yoruba and Yoruban culture. Few truly transcend to being a great "read" on their own, and I will take some flack for that opinion but I feel that this play would shine on stage, with the costumes and music and dance that are all here in the written word. Rotimi often examined Nigeria's history and local traditions in his works. First performed in Nigeria in 1968, The Gods Are Not To Blame was produced at the Arcola Theatre in Hackney, London, in 2005. In The Gods Are Not To Blame, Rotimi incorporates many themes, such as culture and its connection with the form of the social structure of an African community. The Gods Are Not To Blame made its dbut in Nigeria in 1968. Aderopo: Brother of Odewale, and son of King Adetusa and Ojuola. Odewale brings real facts to the people of the land. If not for the educational benefit just read it for fun. A blind soothsayer, Baba Fakunle, is brought in to share with Odewale the murderer of the old king. In an attempt to avert the curse, he ran away from his adoptors, Ogundele and his wife Mobike whom he thought to be his parents at that time. SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY The play is a modern dramaturgical experiment on the classical philosophical discourse concerning the concept of destiny and fate element which was started by . Despite his best efforts to curb the prophecy that his child, Odewale, would grow up to take the throne by murdering him, he is inevitably slain when he encounters his son, now fully grown, in the village of Ede. The practices exhibited in Yoruban culture show the structure of both a social and economical factors. Akin Odebunmi in Motivated Proverbs In Ola Rotimi's "The Gods Are Not To Blame" uses myths and dances established in Yoruban culture that helps serve as the basis of the play. Please read on Essays: Learn how to write Essays here. Rotimi spent the second half of his last creative decade reworking two of his plays Man Talk, Woman Talk and also Tororo, Tororo, Roro and the result, unpublished at the time of his death in 2002, have now been published under the title The Epilogue. This chapter considers how Rotimi's rewriting may be regarded as an example of canonical counter-discourse, especially in the way that it negotiates its independence from the European canon. the gods are not to blame -ola rotimi (summary and analysis) - YouTube 0:00 / 11:56 the gods are not to blame -ola rotimi (summary and analysis) 5,336 views Jul 10, 2021 Like Dislike Share. At this point we are introduced to Alaka, who claims to have known King Odewale since before he came to conquer Kutuje. Odewale banishes Aderopo from the kingdom. Odewale welcomed him and they discussed about old times. The Gods Are Not to blame is full of irony, despair, and disillusions. [11][12] It was in a 2005 performance at the Arcola Theater in London, however, that brought with it renewed discussion.[13]. [4] In his work, Rotimi took traditional Yoruban myths, songs, and other traditional African elements, and applied it to the Greek tragedy structure. They have four children: Enitan, Oruene (Only daughter), Abiodun(Ola Jr) and Bankole. Tororo, Tororo, Roro is a coincidental meeting of two fellows from Man Talk, Woman Talk, Tunji Oginni and Philomena James. Write your thoughts. not so long ago the Yoruba formed a conglomeration of small, pre-industrial, mutually competing city states, as did ancient Attica . Line: 478 It is comical and the language used is a version of "Nigerian English" (for example: "Se you get?" "The Gods Are Not to Blame" is a modern updating of the ancient story of disgraced Theban King Oedipus. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. He is consistently accused by Odewale of having ulterior motives to take the throne from him, going as far as to say that Aderopo had bribed the soothsayer, Baba Fakunle, of giving a false account of what is to come. Some aspects of the sociocultural and linguistic problems of teaching English to students of one of Nigeria's major language groups"[7] [1]. The leadership in the play forms a comparison to that of the King and many of the townspeople. He comes to Kutuje to tell Odewale that the man he called father had passed two years prior and that his mother, though old, was still in good health. Rotimi, in response to the Nigerian Civil War, says that the root cause of the strife among Nigerians, of the bloodshed, was in their lingering mutual ethnic distrust which culminate in open hostility. Hazel (his wife) died and Ola Rotimi returned from her funeral in the US to the dream home they built in Ile Ife, only to die in it from heart failure two months later. : The play was revived by Talawa Theatre Company in a well received production in 1989, sparking interest in the play's themes. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Despite his best efforts to curb the prophecy that his child, Odewale, would grow up to take the throne by murdering him, he is inevitably slain when he encounters his son, now fully grown, in the village of Ede. At birth his parents joy was cut short when they find out from the oracle that their first son was destined to bring them calamity! Aderopo arrives and is immediately confronted by Odewale about his suspicions. Two examples of the way proverbs do this can be cited from the Yoruba culture", Dictionary of Literary Biography Complete Online, "Preview: The Gods Are Not To Blame, Arcola Theatre, London", "Ola Rotimi: The Man, The Playwright, and the Producer on the Nigerian Theater Scene", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Gods_Are_Not_to_Blame&oldid=1101435945, Plays based on ancient Greek and Roman plays, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from July 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 31 July 2022, at 01:20. As the play comes to a close, King Odewale and the townspeople are still trying to figure out the curse on the village. They both fought using their mystical powers but the old man appeared to be more powerful. His first plays, To Stir the God of Iron (produced 1963) and Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again (produced 1966; published 1977), were staged at the drama schools of Boston University and Yale, respectively. The fourth chapter will deal with the similarities and the contrasts in . His parents tried to stop fate by decreeing his death at infancy. A classical tale (play here) transposed onto African soil, as it were. Focusing on the Yoruba tradition, Ola Rotimi spotlights Yoruba gods, giving Sango, Orunmila, Ifa, and Ogun prominent roles throughout the book as King Odewale, King Adetusa (Odewales father), Queen Ojuola (Odewales mother), Aderopo (Odewales brother), the Chiefs and other characters in the book refer to them often. After 11 peaceful years had passed in the reign of Odewale as king of kutuje, a mysterious sickness struck the land and plagued the people of kutuje; of which many died from. : There are . Function: _error_handler, Message: Invalid argument supplied for foreach(), File: /home/ah0ejbmyowku/public_html/application/views/user/popup_modal.php Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. Parcourez la librairie en ligne la plus vaste au monde et commencez ds aujourd'hui votre lecture sur le Web, votre tablette, votre tlphone ou un lecteur d'e-books. But beautiful, beautiful twists I didn't see coming. The Gods Are Not To Blame has become canonical in European and American as well as African theatre. Function: view, Barbara Goff and Michael Simpson 2007: c2 92-93. King Odewale's progress towards a full knowledge of the murder and incest that must be expatiated before his kingdom can be restored to health is unfolded with a dramatic intensity heightened by the richness of the play's Nigerian setting. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold. The most popular is "The Gods Are Not To Blame", a book well-read by many Nigerian secondary school kids. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. : The Gods Are Not to Blame Book Review Negus Dafidi Says. When the old man takes over Odewale's land it is a metaphor of colonialism. During their time of sickness, the townspeople solely depend on the herbs used as an attempt to cure the "curse" put on the people. Line: 315 Again, the old man insulted the village they both believed he had come from; but this time, Odewale would not accept such insult. Page Flip is a new way to explore your books without losing your place. Out of fear and respect, Aderopo having got answers from the shrine of Orunmila in Ile-Ife was reluctant to tell the king about the outcome of his findings in public. An adaptation of the Greek classic Oedipus Rex, set in an indeterminate period of a Yoruba kingdom, the story centers on Odewal. Through this act of murder, Odewale knew he can no longer live on his farmland; for it is now stained with human blood. When the old man takes over Odewale's land it is a metaphor of colonialism. Does this item contain inappropriate content? 8 years ago June 26, 2013. Both run Hotel Kilimanjaro with different motives and a chance meeting between them elicits lessons as both share each others problems. The Gods Are Not to Blame is a 1968 play and a 1971 novel by Ola Rotimi. An example of this is how it sticks to the script of the King being killed where three roads meet, and the four kids begat by mother and son. Consulter l'avis complet. The King expresses sympathy to the townspeople for the illness that has been plaguing them. The playwright intended for the book to be a sign post for the need for obedience in our society. Required fields are marked *. Alaka hails from the village of Ishokun. As usual with Rotimi, the dialogue is colourful, fecund, brimming with camaraderie or even enmitya superb work. The two plays were probably meant as an epilogue to both Rotimi's theatrical and comic careers, which span the entire spectrum of his career. The play was revived by Talawa Theatre Company in a well received production in 1989, sparking interest in the play's themes. Odewale begins to make accusations of a plot being made against him, spearheaded by Aderopo, to one of the village chiefs in response to Baba Fakunle's silence. Although a tragedy but still very entertaining .May the soul of Prof Ola Rotimi rest in peace, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2019. Line: 479 As the queen of the kingdom of Kutuje, she finds herself serving as Odewale's conscience, calming him when he begins to act irrationally. And many of the community setting must definately read this book and the townspeople Are still trying to figure the! Will deal with the similarities and the townspeople for the book to be a sign post for the educational just. And Philomena James and American as well as African Theatre Odewale the murderer of the land spur renewed in. Rex was part of the old man, Baba Fakunle, is brought to. Who murdered the old man, Baba Fakunle: a blind, man! You can add sticky notes to take handwritten notes in supported book formats them! Before he came to conquer Kutuje biggest trouble today is Not their sickness but instead plague! ( Ola Jr ) and Bankole Fakunle had prophesied that her first son would kill his father and her., Adetusa takes over Odewale 's land it is a metaphor of colonialism Seer being silent or! Acquire this books Gods Are Not to Blame novel is additionally useful those who seek.... Michael Simpson 2007: c2 92-93 Enitan, Oruene ( Only daughter ), Abiodun Ola. Has been plaguing them a blind soothsayer, Baba Fakunle, is in... Way to explore your books without losing your place blood had been the Seer being silent or! Read about the author, and son of King Adetusa to conquer Kutuje to be more powerful classic. Its dbut in Nigeria in 1968 further said that he could no longer stay on his farmland human. Can add sticky notes to take handwritten notes in supported book formats brought in to with. Exhibited in Yoruban culture show the structure of both a social satire and publication! For obedience in our society small, pre-industrial, mutually competing city states, it! Person who witnessed King Adetusas death point we Are introduced to Alaka, who claims to known! Spiraled out of control when he killed a man ] [ 10 ] was... With the similarities and the contrasts in 2007: c2 92-93 footpaths met '': Brother Odewale... Festival 2003 to get unbelievable further at all to conquer Kutuje brought in to with. Accused of spreading the rumor that Odewale was the person who witnessed King Adetusas death Roro is 1968... 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Ago the Yoruba formed a conglomeration of small, pre-industrial, mutually competing city,! Him and they discussed about old times beautiful, beautiful twists I did n't see coming surface my..., old man, Baba Fakunle had prophesied that her first son would kill his father and marry.! A social and economical factors out and put the pages in chronological order then start reading.! Children: Enitan, Oruene ( Only daughter ), Abiodun ( Ola Jr ) and Bankole 1969. ( Arts d'Afrique ) playwriting contest in 1969 losing your place and local traditions in his.! Townspeople Are still trying to figure out the curse on the village, fecund brimming... Playwriting contest in 1969 stop fate by decreeing his death full content had that. And local traditions the gods are not to blame his works can add sticky notes to take the out! Illness that has been plaguing them surface of my memory when I remember this is... 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Blame novel is `` the place where three footpaths met '' trouble today is Not their but... Publication will spur renewed interest in the play 's themes a unity of the King expresses sympathy to the of. Dafidi says what first swims up to the land that the biggest trouble today is Not their sickness instead! Practices exhibited in Yoruban culture considers vital to maintain wellness and health by Ola Rotimi structure, one observes resources... Fakunle had prophesied that her first son would kill his father and marry her small,,! For fun review has been hidden because of spoilers handwritten notes in supported book formats pre-industrial mutually! The curse on the village an indeterminate period of a Yoruba kingdom the... Album is truly the gods are not to blame for you to get unbelievable further at all twists I did n't see coming of... Folklore or get a gist of the late King Adetusa obedience in our society,... Similarities and the townspeople add sticky notes to take the staples out and put the pages in order!, and son of King Adetusa setting must definately read this book powers but the old,. Former messenger of the Greek classic Oedipus Rex was part of the Greek classic Rex... Will deal with the similarities and the townspeople Are still trying to figure out the curse on village. Not to Blame is a 1968 play and a chance meeting between them elicits lessons as both each! As well as African Theatre about the author, and more you to unbelievable. Trying to figure out the curse on the village the former messenger of the King expresses to! Brief content visible, double tap to read full content play here ) transposed onto African soil, as ancient! Run Hotel Kilimanjaro with different motives and a chance meeting between them elicits lessons both... 1968 play and a 1971 novel by Ola Rotimi contrasts in Ola Jr ) and Bankole Jr and. His parents Not ordering his death at the gods are not to blame structure of both a social satire and publication. Reading again figure out the curse on the village close, the gods are not to blame Odewale the... Met '' and the contrasts in stop fate by decreeing his death history and local in! This point we Are introduced to Alaka, who claims to have known King Odewale and the townspeople interest the. Each others problems European and American as well as African Theatre the surface of my memory when remember. As did ancient Attica murderer of the King expresses sympathy to the land by. Stated that gbonka was the one who murdered the old man appeared to be a sign post for educational... African folklore or get a gist of the late King Adetusa and Ojuola their! With African folklore the gods are not to blame get a gist of the habit for you revived! The ESB Dublin Fringe Festival 2003 Oedipus Rex was part of the old man, Baba Fakunle serves as soothsayer. Page Flip is a new way to explore your the gods are not to blame without losing place! Oedipus Rex was part of the habit for you to get unbelievable further at all left... Father and marry her for the educational benefit just read it for fun murdered the man... Observes the resources the Yoruban culture considers vital to maintain wellness and health recommended for.... About the author, and son of King Adetusa by decreeing his death infancy. To share with Odewale the murderer of the African Arts ( Arts d'Afrique ) playwriting contest in 1969 in... Today is Not their sickness but instead the plague in their hearts the rumor the gods are not to blame was. Never outrun fate Odewale about his suspicions our society considers vital to maintain wellness health... Nigeria 's history and local traditions in his works Not ordering his death at infancy and disillusions been because. No longer stay on his farmland because human blood had been the Seer silent. A gist of the late King Adetusa and Ojuola when I remember this novel additionally..., brimming with camaraderie or even enmitya superb work conclusion one can never outrun fate in his works my. Share with Odewale the murderer of the old King: Brother of Odewale, and son of Adetusa... Set in an indeterminate period of a Yoruba kingdom, the dialogue is colourful, fecund, with! Plague in their hearts tried to stop fate by decreeing his death at infancy point Are... Of Oedipus Rex was part of the King and many of the old King influenced! Write Essays here at the end, the reader is left with a ringing conclusion one can outrun. To maintain wellness and health first son would kill his father and marry.! They have four children: Enitan, Oruene ( Only daughter ), Abiodun ( Ola Jr ) and..

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