# LXXXII explained — The Luzumiyat

> Chapter companion for The Luzumiyat by Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri.

## What happens

The chapter reflects on the transient nature of evil and virtue, portraying them as mere shadows cast by Fate and Vanity that dissolve into the sweetness of annihilation with Night.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Transience

The shadows of evil and virtue meet and dissolve into annihilation, emphasizing the fleeting nature of human constructs.

### Illusion and Reality

Evil and virtue are depicted as mere shadows, questioning their substantial reality.

## Character check-ins

### Fate

Fate is personified as a force that casts shadows of evil and virtue.

## Key lines

> Evil and Virtue? Shadows on the street Of Fate and Vanity⁠—but shadows meet When in the gloaming they are hast’ning forth To drink with Night annihilation sweet.

Evil and virtue are like shadows cast by Fate and Vanity; they come together in the twilight to embrace the sweet oblivion of night.

_The stanza suggests that moral categories are insubstantial and ultimately dissolve into nothingness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters/lxxxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters