# XCIV explained — The Luzumiyat

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

## What happens

The speaker laments their continued existence, expressing a desire to shed their physical form as the union of soul and body has become burdensome and they long for separation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Transience

The speaker's longing to shed the 'clay' of the body reflects a preoccupation with mortality and the transient nature of the soul's union with the physical form.

### Suffering and Resilience

The soul and body are described as 'sick' and desiring separation, highlighting the suffering inherent in existence and the wish for release.

## Character check-ins

### Fate

The speaker appeals to the Fates, wishing they would decree the casting aside of the physical body.

## Key lines

> But I was not. Oh! that the Fates decree That I now cast aside this clay of me; My soul and body wedded for a while Are sick and that separation be.

I wish the Fates would allow me to discard my physical body. My soul and body, temporarily joined, are weary and long to be parted.

_The speaker expresses a deep desire for death or release from the physical form, viewing the union of soul and body as a temporary and painful condition._

## Links

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