Non-Verbal Cues as Discourse Strategy in Soyinka's Death and the King's Horseman

Abstract

This article examined Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman from a non-verbal communication perspective. The purpose was to demonstrate how non-verbal elements have aided the conveyance of meanings in the dramatic text. Excerpts that had ample use of non-verbal cues were purposively selected. The analysis employed the conceptual framework of non-verbal communication. The non-verbal cues identified were kinesics, to indicate support, unveil mental state and reveal thought process; haptics, to depict relationships, express disapproval and assign task; proxemics, to accord reverence, symbolise acceptance and indicate diffidence; chronemics, to reveal characters’ roles, indicate urgency and highlight dominance in social relationships, and physical appearance, to determine cultural background, social status and ideological belief. These non-verbal cues reinforce verbal messages and communicate much non-verbal information about the characters and their roles. The study concluded that non-verbal communication is a powerful tool which the playwright manipulates successfully in achieving socio-cultural, ideological and contextual meanings in the dramatic piece. An appropriate interpretation of these non-verbal cues will aid the comprehension of meanings expressed in dramatic discourse.