A Dance of the Forests

The Forest Head and Aroni summon the mortals to the forest to stand trial for the actions of previous generations. To what extent can Demoke, Rola, and the others be considered guilty of the crimes of their ancestors/previous incarnations? What does Soyinka suggest about a citizen’s responsibility to make amends for the past?

The climax of the play occurs during the procession of spirits in the Dance of the Dead in Part 2. What is the significance of this section of the play? What do the various spirits signify?

In Part 2, the Dead Woman is finally able to give birth to the Half-Child. What does the Half-Child represent? Why is it significant that he is saved from Eshuoro by Demoke? Cite at least three examples from the text to support your argument.

A Dance of the Forests was written to be performed during the 1960 Nigerian Independence celebrations. How do the pre-colonial and British colonial past impact Soyinka’s message about Nigeria’s post-colonial future? Support you’re argument with examples from the text and your own historical research.

Many critics argue that A Dance of the Forests serves as a warning to the newly independent country of Nigeria to heed the mistakes of the past in order to avoid them in the future. Do you agree with this interpretation? What aspects of the play confirm or deny this reading?

Compare and contrast the characteristics of Ogun and Eshuoro. What do their actions reveal about the role of Orisha in the play? Why do you think Soyinka invents the Forest Head as the supreme Orisha, instead of only portraying traditional Orisha?

Rola/Madame Tortoise and the Dead Woman are the only females in A Dance of the Forests. What does their characterization reveal about Soyinka’s opinion regarding the role of women in shaping the past and future of their society? Cite at least three examples from the text.

Many characters use idioms or proverbs to explain situations in the play. What do they reveal about Yoruba beliefs and society? Support you’re argument with examples from the play and your own research.