Death and the King’s Horseman Character Analysis

Elesin

Elesin is the titular horseman of the play. He's a vibrant man who loves life and, due his role as the king's horseman, has been able to to enjoy it to the fullest. He… read analysis of Elesin

Iyaloja

The "mother of the market." She has a close and friendly relationship with Elesin and, along with the praise-singer, acts as Elesin's moral compass and a conscience of sorts. She wants to please him… read analysis of Iyaloja

Simon Pilkings

The district officer in the colonial Nigerian city of Oyo. He's self-important, pompous, and has no time for the native religious practices, which he refers to as "nonsense" and "mumbo-jumbo." Because he thinks so little… read analysis of Simon Pilkings

Olunde

Olunde is Elesin's oldest son and therefore, is next in line to become the king's horseman. Four years prior to the start of the play, Pilkings helped sneak Olunde out of Nigeria so… read analysis of Olunde

Jane Pilkings

Pilkings's wife. She's far more understanding and thoughtful than her husband, though she also fully supports Pilkings in his work of policing the native population in Nigeria, and at times, seems even more dutiful… read analysis of Jane Pilkings

The Praise-Singer

The praise-singer is a man who accompanies Elesin and acts as his conscience and spiritual guide. After Elesin is gone, the praise-singer will be the one responsible for singing about Elesin so that future generations… read analysis of The Praise-Singer

Sergeant Amusa

Amusa is a native Nigerian man who converted to Islam several years before the action of the play. He serves under Pilkings as a police officer for the English colonizers. Despite being a Muslim, Amusa… read analysis of Sergeant Amusa

The Aide-de-Camp

Another colonial official; Pilkings refers to him as Bob at several points. He attends closely to the prince and seems to have a solid relationship with Pilkings, as he offers Pilkings extra soldiers when Pilkings… read analysis of The Aide-de-Camp

The Bride / The Young Woman

A beautiful young woman engaged to Iyaloja's son. Elesin catches sight of her and decides he wants to marry her before he dies. She doesn't speak at all in the play, and goes along… read analysis of The Bride / The Young Woman

Minor Characters

Joseph

The houseboy for Simon and Jane. He's a relatively recent convert to Christianity and Simon appreciates his willingness to look at the egungun costumes. Despite his obedience, Joseph appears to dislike Simon and seems to like Jane only marginally more than her husband. His affect is flat and emotionless.

The Prince

The visiting prince of England. Though he doesn't speak, he appears to enjoy the costume ball in his honor. Olunde suggests that the prince is brave, given that he chooses to undertake the journey to Nigeria in the middle of World War Two.

The Resident

The man above Pilkings in the ranks of colonial officials in Nigeria. He's self-important and believes fully in doing everything to properly support the English Empire, so he chastises Pilkings for not knowing about Elesin's prospective suicide earlier.

The King

The king doesn't appear in the play itself; he died about a month before the action of the play starts. He and Elesin were extremely close.