# Death and the King's Horseman

**Author:** Wole Soyinka
**Grade range:** Grades 11–12
**Age range:** 16–17
**First published:** 1975
**Page count:** 77
**Genre:** Historical Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9780393322996`
**ISBN-10:** `0393322998`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/death-and-the-kings-horseman
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Based on events that took place in 1946 in the ancient Yoruban city of Oyo, Soyinka's acclaimed and powerful play addresses classic issues of cultural conflict, tragic decision-making, and the psychological mindsets of individuals and groups. The text of the play is accompanied by an introduction and explanatory annotations for the many allusions to traditional Nigerian myth and culture [from Amazon].

## Themes

- drama
- yoruba (african people)
- suicide
- prevention

## Where this book is assigned

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **recommended** · 11th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 11-CCR drama exemplar](https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/standards-instruction/appendix-b-text-exemplars-and-sample-performance-tasks.pdf)
- **recommended** · 12th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 11-CCR drama exemplar](https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/standards-instruction/appendix-b-text-exemplars-and-sample-performance-tasks.pdf)

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