What is the importance of duty in the Death and the King´s Horseman and how is it fulfilled by different characters in the play?

Duty is a major theme in Wole Soyinka’s play “Death and the King’s Horseman.” It cuts across every conceivable boundary in the novel, from race to culture. Each character associated with duty views their duties in different ways. Sometimes, the duties themselves differ.

Elesin’s duty, for example, is to commit ritual suicide, a custom of the Yoruba, and the Yoruba cheer on Elesin to kill himself in pursuit of that duty.

Pilkings’ duty is to maintain peace and uphold the law, and there is law against suicide. Thus, while duty compels Elesin to death, duty also compels Pilkings to preserve Elesin’s life.

The Yoruba, due to Elesin’s position, are duty bound to provide Elesin with whatever he wants be it food or young girls. Iyaloja even gives up her son’s betrothed out of duty, and the women of the Yoruba protect Elesin for the same reason.

Amusa is mocked for his duty, and the women are mocked for hanging onto their old ways. Olunde's duty is to preserve the honor of his family and tribe, thus, he kills himself because his father has not done his duty.