The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám · Chapter
LXXV explained
The speaker describes a cosmic journey from the ultimate goal, where celestial bodies like Parwín and Mushtarí are flung over the flaming shoulders of the Foal of Heaven, all within a predestined plot of dust and soul.
What happens
The speaker describes a cosmic journey from the ultimate goal, where celestial bodies like Parwín and Mushtarí are flung over the flaming shoulders of the Foal of Heaven, all within a predestined plot of dust and soul.
Themes in this chapter
Determinism and Fate
The mention of a 'predestined Plot of Dust and Soul' underscores the theme of fate and predetermined existence.
The Quest for Meaning
The cosmic imagery and journey from the 'Goal' suggest a search for ultimate meaning and understanding.
Characters to notice
- Omar Khayyám
The speaker and philosophical voice of the quatrain.
Key passages
“When, started from the Goal, Over the flaming shoulders of the Foal Of Heav’n Parwín and Mushtarí they flung In my predestined Plot of Dust and Soul.”
When, having set out from the ultimate destination, they cast the Pleiades and Jupiter over the fiery shoulders of the celestial horse, all within my fated mixture of earth and spirit.
The paraphrase clarifies the cosmic and deterministic imagery of the original.