Exploring the interplay of masculinity, mortality, and cultural customs in Wole Soyinka’s <i>The Strong Breed</i>

Abstract

This paper explores the interplay between masculinity, mortality, and cultural customs in Wole Soyinka’s The Strong Breed. The paper aims to address the existing research gap in the play, regarding the examination of male characters and the theme of death. Despite the extensive research conducted on the play, there has been limited exploration of these specific aspects. The paper delves into the deeply ingrained gender roles, rituals, and beliefs that shape the characters’ lives. The true man in the play is a man who is willing to die for the sake of others. Masculinity, as portrayed by the protagonist Eman, becomes a complex and tragic force driving both destruction and redemption. At the heart of the narrative are the cultural customs that define the character’s existence. In this paper, the traditional representation of death and dying is a catalyst for envisioning masculine identity. As such, this paper will be premised on the essential viewpoints of masculinities