SECTION B: AFRICAN LITERATURE 3. Character Traits and Roles of Ndenwontio in The Crown of Thorns FIVE Character Traits of Ndenwontio: • Ambitious: Ndenwontio is driven by a strong desire for power and influence, particularly within the traditional political structure of the village. • Manipulative: He skillfully uses deceit, cunning, and traditional beliefs to sway public opinion and orchestrate events to his advantage. • Traditionalist: He staunchly adheres to old customs and traditions, often using them as a pretext to oppose change and maintain his own authority. • Ruthless: Ndenwontio is willing to resort to extreme measures, including violence, juju, and assassination plots, to achieve his objectives and eliminate rivals. • Superstitious: He places great faith in the power of juju, diviners, and traditional medicine, frequently consulting them to further his schemes or protect himself. FIVE Roles Ndenwontio Plays in the Novel: • Antagonist: He serves as the primary opposing force to the protagonist, Fon Nsoh, representing the forces of tradition and resistance against modern leadership. • Chief Conspirator: Ndenwontio orchestrates numerous plots and schemes against Fon Nsoh, aiming to undermine his rule and ultimately remove him from power. • Symbol of Resistance to Change: He embodies the conservative elements within the community who are unwilling to embrace modernity and prefer the old ways, even if they are detrimental. • Instigator of Conflict: He fuels much of the tension and conflict in the novel, particularly regarding the succession to the throne and the clash between traditional and modern values. • Perpetrator of Evil: Ndenwontio is directly or indirectly responsible for acts of violence, including assassination attempts and the use of harmful juju, throughout the narrative. 4. Three Instances of Coincidence in The Crown of Thorns and their Relevance a) Coincidence 1: Fon Nsoh's return coinciding with the death of the old Fon. • Account: Fon Nsoh, who had been away for his education, unexpectedly returns to the village at the precise moment the reigning Fon passes away. • Relevance: This coincidence is pivotal as it immediately thrusts Fon Nsoh, a young man with modern sensibilities, into the traditional leadership vacuum. It sets the stage for the central conflict between tradition and modernity, as his unexpected ascension challenges the established order and the ambitions of traditionalists like Ndenwontio. It also suggests a fated or destined path for him. b) Coincidence 2: The timely discovery of the missing royal regalia (the actual "Crown of Thorns"). • Account: The sacred royal regalia, which is indispensable for the legitimate enthronement of a new Fon, is initially missing. Its discovery, often through an unexpected revelation or a seemingly chance event, occurs at a critical juncture when Fon Nsoh's legitimacy is being questioned by his opponents. • Relevance: This coincidence serves to validate Fon Nsoh's claim to the throne and strengthens his position against traditionalists. It signifies divine or ancestral approval, making it difficult for his opponents to challenge his authority based on traditional rites and thereby reinforcing his rightful rule. c) Coincidence 3: The repeated failure of Ndenwontio's juju and assassination attempts due to unforeseen circumstances. • Account: Ndenwontio orchestrates multiple juju attacks and assassination plots against Fon Nsoh. However, these attempts consistently fail due to unexpected events, such as the juju backfiring, the assassins being thwarted by chance occurrences, or the timely intervention of others. • Relevance: These coincidences highlight the theme of good triumphing over evil and the resilience of Fon Nsoh. They suggest that his leadership is protected, perhaps by a higher power or by the inherent justice of his cause, ultimately undermining the power of traditional malevolence and superstition in the face of progress. SECTION C: POETRY 5) Read the following extract and answer the questions below it: "I was angry with my friend; I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I water'd it in fears Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with smiles And with soft deceitful wiles." The questions for this extract are not visible in the provided image. Please provide the questions for me to answer.