The Role of a Playwright in Society
ROLE OF THE PLAYWRIGHT IN HIS SOCIETY:A STUDY OF BAKARE, OJO RASAKI 'S THE GODS AND THE SCAVENGERS by Chukwukelue Uzodinma Umenyilorah INTRODUCTION
The playwright often seeks to frame intangible realities, concepts, ideals and phenomena; recreate worlds familiar to the ordinary man only in his mind, courier specific messages meant for a particular era, sect, culture or movement and breathe life to words representing every facet, personality and ideology, embodying intricate expressions to help the stratification of structural institution in the society.
In the myriads of multiple judgments and conflicting opinions, the playwright especially in contemporary times stands as a bridge to fill the lacuna present in the lack of objective progression in contemporary societies. He stands as a sermonizer who having studied, knowing the truth, reveals to the common ‘worshiper’ ideals that if imbibed would transfigure such individual(s) presenting a more radiant person who would then stand boldly in his own office as a preacher also to guide the souls of men into realization of the ultimate truth which he himself has acquired.
This work strives to look at the playwright only in the light of the two paragraphs above; focusing not on his artistic capabilities and predisposition but majorly on his drive and primitive intent to inspire morality and certain degree of saneness in any given society.
This research will use Ojo Bakare 's The Gods and The Scavengers as the platform for the analysis.
Many playwrights have come and gone, many still exist, names like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Jean Pierre, Paul Satre, Femi Osofisan, Wole Soyinka, John Pepper Clark, Esiaba Irobi, have been canonized for the uniqueness and vividness of the works. The playwright has the most essential duty of edu-taining the readers and or audience alike beyond mere didactic purposes.
The playwright often seeks to frame intangible realities, concepts, ideals and phenomena; recreate worlds familiar to the ordinary man only in his mind, courier specific messages meant for a particular era, sect, culture or movement and breathe life to words representing every facet, personality and ideology, embodying intricate expressions to help the stratification of structural institution in the society.
In the myriads of multiple judgments and conflicting opinions, the playwright especially in contemporary times stands as a bridge to fill the lacuna present in the lack of objective progression in contemporary societies. He stands as a sermonizer who having studied, knowing the truth, reveals to the common ‘worshiper’ ideals that if imbibed would transfigure such individual(s) presenting a more radiant person who would then stand boldly in his own office as a preacher also to guide the souls of men into realization of the ultimate truth which he himself has acquired.
This work strives to look at the playwright only in the light of the two paragraphs above; focusing not on his artistic capabilities and predisposition but majorly on his drive and primitive intent to inspire morality and certain degree of saneness in any given society.
This research will use Ojo Bakare 's The Gods and The Scavengers as the platform for the analysis.
Many playwrights have come and gone, many still exist, names like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Jean Pierre, Paul Satre, Femi Osofisan, Wole Soyinka, John Pepper Clark, Esiaba Irobi, have been canonized for the uniqueness and vividness of the works. The playwright has the most essential duty of edu-taining the readers and or audience alike beyond mere didactic purposes.
Cited: Bakare, Ojo Rasaki. The Gods and The Scavenger. Abuja: Roots Books and Journals Nigeria,2013. Lew, Grade. The Observer (London). Microsoft Encarta 2009.[DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. Osanyin, Bode. The concept of African of total theatre and its implication on African unity. African Unity; the cultural foundations. Centre for Black African Arts and Culture. National theatre Lagos. 1988. Tosun, Elegbede. Nigerian playwrights in contemporary times. Connection ebhost.com(blog). 3rd march 2011. www. All Africa.com/ stories/2002/30/07/00014.html. www. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia.com/ role of the playwright. Retrieved 23July 2014.