Theory question 101
Set Text: The Gods Are Not to BlameLiterature 2, Section A: African Drama. Ola Rotimi: The Gods Are Not to Blame
Comment on the significance of the Prologue in the play.
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Model answer
Narrator tells the background: birth of a son to Adetusa and Ojuola, Baba Fakunle's prophecy.
Baby given to Gbonka to kill; survives, raised by Ogundele in Ijekun.
Adetusa's death and Odewale's arrival, victory over Ikolu and crowning; marriage to Ojuola.
Significance: sets up dramatic irony (audience knows the truth); creates suspense about how it will be revealed.
Introduces the theme of fate; adapts Oedipus to Yoruba setting; economy of plot.
Explanation
Summarise the prologue and explain what it does for the play.