The RubÁiyÁt

1. The RubÁiyÁt Author: Omar Khayyám 1048-1131 (trans. By Edward FitzGerald in 1859)

2. Cultural Background Information http://www.farsinet.com/persiansinbible/images/persian_empire.jpg

3. About the Author • Well-educated • First published algebra book; sultan so impressed he asked Khayyam to develop a new calendar and build astronomical observatory. • Continued to write works on astronomy, math, medicine, and philosophy, but now best known for poetry. • Ironically, most of history lauded his achievements in science and math, not literature.

4. Persian and Arabic Literature • Islamic religion spread from Arabia into Persia in 7th century. • During that time, Arabic oral poetry was written down into short, expressive odes to celebrate special occasions. • Koran, Islam’s sacred book, written down too. • Persian literature (already flourishing) mixed with Islamic mysticism to create lyric poetry renowned worldwide.

5. The Translation • FitzGerald’s translation brought the Rubaiyat to popularity. • This work captured the imagination of the English-speaking world, and remains one of our best-known and most beloved pieces.

6. Literary Structure and Technique Rubai – 4-line poem in which lines 1,2,4 rhyme. (plural = rubaiyat) • These Persian poems expressed insights (philosophies) about life. Metaphors – comparison of two things using figurative language. (In The Rubaiyat, metaphors express themes (statements about human nature).

7. Example of a Rubai 71 The Moving Finger* writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it. *fate