Proverbs in modern african drama: Examples from ola rotimi’s ovonramwen nogbaisi

Proverb is often linked with wisdom in talk or utterances. People are usually described as wise when they decorate their statements/talk with proverb. Proverb is a stylistic/literary device which people apply in their daily discussions in order to, among others, warn, advise, support, reject or remind a listener/reader. This article, which is analytical, is set to show the use of proverbs in Modern African Drama as a common phenomenon; and equally show the class of people who mostly deploy it in their talks. The specific purpose of the article is to analyze the proverbs deployed by Ola Rotimi in his play,'Ovonramwen Nogbaisi'. Hence, the analysis is to explicate proverbial meaning therein. The findings include and confirm the use of proverb in the play to reinforce position, emphasize a point, give warning or advice etc. The article concludes that the device (proverb) as deployed by the characters in the play, was an effective tool through which they make their points.