Which characters that provide comic relief and how do they achieve this..use the Cetshwayo boo and the lion and the jewel to answer this also provide examples from the play using in text reference

Answer 1

In "The Lion and the Jewel" by Wole Soyinka, the characters Baroka and Sidi provide comic relief throughout the play. Baroka, the village chief and older man, uses wit and charm to entertain the audience and lighten the mood. For example, when Sidi asks him why he wants to marry her, Baroka responds with a humorous remark, saying, "I will marry you because you are like the sun. Your beauty intoxicates me" (Soyinka, 24). This playful banter between the two characters adds a comedic element to the play and keeps the audience engaged.

Sidi, the beautiful and vain village girl, also provides comic relief through her interactions with other characters. For instance, when she argues with Lakunle about the traditional ways of the village, Sidi uses sarcasm and wit to poke fun at his progressive ideas. She says, "I will be just somebody's wife. What will I be then? I will chop the head of anybody who calls Sidi a slave!" (Soyinka, 10). This humorous exchange between Sidi and Lakunle brings lightness to the play and showcases Sidi's independent and witty personality.

Overall, the characters Baroka and Sidi in "The Lion and the Jewel" provide comic relief through their witty dialogue, playful banter, and humorous interactions with each other and other characters. Their comedic moments break up tension in the play and entertain the audience, making their characters vital to the overall comedic tone of the story.