How does both plays(Cetshwayo book and The lion and the Jewel) uses satire or ridicule to comment on societal issues provide examples from both books using in text references.

Answer 1

Both "Cetshwayo: A Play" by Mbongeni Ngema and "The Lion and the Jewel" by Wole Soyinka effectively employ satire and ridicule to comment on societal issues.

In "Cetshwayo: A Play," Ngema uses satire to criticize the colonial attitudes towards African culture. For example, in Act 2, Scene 3, the character of Sir Theophilus Shepstone dismisses Zulu customs as barbaric and backward, highlighting the arrogance and ignorance of the colonial administration. This ridicule serves to highlight the absurdity of colonial beliefs and the destructive impact of colonization on indigenous cultures.

Similarly, in "The Lion and the Jewel," Soyinka employs satire to comment on the clash between traditional and modern values in post-colonial Nigeria. For instance, in Act 1, Scene 2, Baroka, the village chief, is portrayed as a cunning and manipulative figure who uses traditional customs to maintain his power over the community. This portrayal is a satirical commentary on the corruption and hypocrisy of those in positions of authority, challenging the audience to question the legitimacy of traditional power structures.

Overall, both plays use satire and ridicule to provoke reflection on the societal issues of colonialism, cultural imperialism, and the clash between tradition and modernity. Through humor and irony, the playwrights highlight the absurdity and injustice of prevailing attitudes and behaviors, prompting the audience to consider the complexities and contradictions of the societies they inhabit.