Elesin

Elesin is one of the two main characters and principal protagonists of the play. Middle-aged and well-loved and well-respected, Elesin is the King’s Horseman. The death of the King means that Elesin must commit suicide to guide the King through the afterlife. During the present life, Elesin has enjoyed all of the possible rewards of his position. The night he is to die, he spies a beautiful young girl, and marries her so that he may have sex with her. He loses his nerve to die, and does not fulfill his duty of suicide. He blames the British for stopping him, and then later his new wife, before realizing the fault lies with him. When Elesin’s son Olunde dies to save the family’s honor and the honor of the tribe, Elesin kills himself.

Simon Pilkings

Simon Pilkings is one of the two main characters and...