The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám · Chapter
LV explained
The speaker declares a second marriage, divorcing barren Reason and taking the Daughter of the Vine (wine) as spouse, celebrating a bold carouse.
What happens
The speaker declares a second marriage, divorcing barren Reason and taking the Daughter of the Vine (wine) as spouse, celebrating a bold carouse.
Themes in this chapter
Hedonism and Wine
The speaker embraces wine as a spouse, rejecting barren Reason in favor of sensual pleasure.
Skepticism and Doubt
Divorcing 'barren Reason' suggests a rejection of rational thought in favor of experiential indulgence.
Characters to notice
- Omar Khayyám
The speaker who divorces Reason and marries the Daughter of the Vine.
Key passages
“You know, my Friends, with what a brave Carouse I made a Second Marriage in my house; Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed, And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.”
You know how I celebrated a bold drinking party and remarried, casting out unproductive reason and wedding wine instead.
The speaker metaphorically marries wine, symbolizing a hedonistic turn away from rationality.