Death and the King's Horseman

Explore the importance of sacrifice in the play. Consider language form and structure.

Explore the importance of sacrifice in the play. Consider language, but more specific form and structure. The answer must be direct with concrete examples (such as quotes) and detailed. Thank you

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Sacrifice is a central component of the ritual. Only through Elesin sacrificing himself can the ritual be completed. Of course, Elesin cannot complete this successfully, due to both external and internal circumstances. It is Olunde who makes the ultimate sacrifice by taking his own life so he can fulfill the Yoruba ritual. This foreshadowed in the conversation regarding self-sacrifice between Olunde and Jane, who have very different ideas about the nature of this act. Jane finds the captain's sacrifice distasteful, but Olunde views it as a life-affirming and heroic act.