Ambanasom�s SON OF THE NATIVE SOIL and the Western Concept of a Tragic Hero

Abstract

The essay, Ambanasoms Son of the Native Soil and the Western Concept of a Tragic Hero discusses the view that although African and Western Literatures are fundamentally different as they exhibit or represent radically distinct cultural values, they nevertheless share some common notions. The concept of a tragic hero is one of those convergent spots where the two literatures meet. With this in mind, the essay examines in detail, Aristotles and Shakespeares concepts of a tragic hero and demonstrates how the ideas, which are exploited in Macbeth are similarly used in Ambanasoms Son of the Native Soil, against the backdrop of rich African culture and colours.