A Demographic Analysis of Proverbs in Rotimi＇s Historical Tragedies

This paper appraises the use of proverbs by the characters in Ola Rotimi＇s monarchical tragedies： The Gods Are Not to Blame （1971b）, Kurunmi （1971a）, and Ovonramwen Nogbaisi （1974）. In an analysis of selected proverbs from the three texts, the study pays special attention to the status, age, gender, and nationality of the characters who make proverbial sayings an integral part of their speeches. The findings of the paper include the fact that proverb, apart from being the stock in trade of old people, is also used by the young when status places upon them the responsibilities demanded of elders. We also discover that proverbs are not limited to Africa only, every tribe and culture has its own proverbs and some proverbs are universal.