A BOOK TO READ: THE GODS ARE NOT TO BLAME

The Gods Are Not To Blame is a book written by Nigerian author Ola Rotimi. The play was written in 1968 while the novel was published in 1971 by Oxford University Press. The book is written in English language with 72 pages. It is an adaptation of the Greek Classic Oedipus Rex. The book’s main character is Odewale. He is lured into a false sense of security, only to somehow get caught up in a somewhat consanguineous trail of events by the gods of the land.

CHARACTERS

The list of characters in The Gods Are Not To Blame includes; Odewale (the main character, the king of Kutuge), Ojuola (wife of the late King Adetusa who later married Odewale), Aderopo (Odewale’s brother and son of King Adetusa), King Adetusa  (former king of Kutuge), Baba Fakunle (a blind, old soothsayer), Alaka (Odewale’s childhood friend, and Gbonka (the former messenger of the late king Adetusa).

SUMMARY

Odewale storms the village of Kutuge with his chiefs flanking by his sides, and is declared king by the town’s first chief. The king expresses sympathy to the town’s people on the sickness plaguing them. He brought his sick children to show to the people that he is also affected by the plague. Aderopo brought good news to Odewale from Orunmila concerning the sickness going around the kingdom. His good report comes with the bad; Odewale learns that there is a curse in the land. The curse has to be purged for the sickness to stop. Odewale also learnt that the cursed man killed King Adetusa.

As the story continues, the village elders gather round to discuss the allegations that have been made against Odewale. Baba Fakunle, an old soothsayer is brought in to share with Odewale the murderer of his predecessor. Odewale begins to make accusations of a plot being made against him, led by Aderopo. Aderopo soon arrives and is immediately confronted by Odewale about his suspicions. Aderopo denies the allegations and Odewale calls forth the Priest of Ogun. The king then banishes Aderopo from the kingdom.

As the novel The Gods Are Not To Blame comes to a close, the king and his people are still trying to figure out the curse on the village. Alaka was introduced and claims to have known King Odewale since before he came to conquer Kutuje. Odewale confesses that his life spiraled out of control when he killed a man. Ojuola, the queen also explains how Baba Fakunle made her kill her first born son, convinced that her first son had brought bad luck. Odewale eventually leaves the village and also brings the real facts to the people of the kingdom. Odewale closes by stating, ‘’the gods have lied’’.