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

2. Cultural Background Information

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