The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam, translated by Edward Fitzgerald, is a collection of quatrains that delve into profound themes of life, death, and the ephemeral nature of existence. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, the poem encourages readers to embrace the present moment and find solace in the simple pleasures of life. This exploration of the Rubaiyat will analyze key verses, highlighting the poem’s enduring appeal and philosophical depth.
Contents
A Call to Seize the Day
The Rubaiyat opens with an invitation to wakefulness, urging the reader to appreciate the fleeting beauty of the world. The sun chases away the stars, symbolizing the transition from darkness to light, and emphasizes the preciousness of each day.
“Wake! For the Sun, who scattered into flight
The Stars before him from the Field of Night,
Drives Night along with them from Heav’n and strikes
The Sultán’s Turret with a Shaft of Light.”
This call to action sets the tone for the poem’s central theme: carpe diem. The “drowsy Worshiper” is admonished for not embracing the joys of life, a sentiment further reinforced by the tavern scene:
“And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
The Tavern shouted—“Open then, the Door!
You know how little while we have to stay,
And, once departed, may return no more.”
The Simple Pleasures of Life
The Rubaiyat extols the virtues of simple pleasures: a book, a jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and the companionship of a loved one. These basic elements, set against the backdrop of nature, create a sense of paradise:
“A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread—and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness—
Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!”
This appreciation for the tangible joys of life contrasts sharply with the pursuit of worldly glories or the promise of an afterlife. The poem encourages readers to “take the Cash, and let the Credit go,” emphasizing the importance of living in the present rather than dwelling on the uncertainties of the future.
The Transient Nature of Beauty
The Rubaiyat frequently uses imagery of nature, particularly flowers, to highlight the transient nature of beauty and life. The blooming rose, a symbol of fleeting beauty, generously scatters its petals:
“Look to the blowing Rose about us—“Lo,
Laughing,” she says, “into the world I blow,
At once the silken tassel of my Purse
Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw.”
This image serves as a reminder that life, like the rose, is short-lived and should be enjoyed to the fullest. Even the seemingly vibrant green of the riverbank holds a melancholic undertone, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and death:
“And this reviving Herb whose tender Green
Fledges the River-Lip on which we lean—
Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows
From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen!”
The Inevitability of Fate
The famous lines about the “Moving Finger” encapsulate the poem’s acceptance of fate. Neither piety nor wit can alter what has been written:
“The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”
This sense of inevitability permeates the Rubaiyat, reminding the reader of the importance of cherishing the present moment.
Embracing the Now
The Rubaiyat is a powerful meditation on the human condition. Its exploration of life, death, and the passage of time resonates with readers across centuries. The poem’s message is ultimately one of acceptance and celebration, encouraging us to embrace the present moment and find joy in the simple beauties of life. By acknowledging the inevitable, the Rubaiyat empowers us to live more fully and appreciate the fleeting moments that make up our existence.