# X explained — The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

> Chapter companion for The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám by Omar Khayyám.

## What happens

The speaker dismisses the legendary heroes of the past, urging a focus on the present rather than the tales of ancient figures like Kaikobád, Kaikhosrú, Zál, Rustum, and Hátim.

## Themes in this chapter

### Carpe Diem

The speaker urges ignoring past glories and focusing on the present moment.

## Character check-ins

### Omar Khayyám

Speaker of the quatrain, dismissing past heroes.

## Key lines

> Well, let it take them! What have we to do With Kaikobád the Great, or Kaikhosrú? Let Zál and Rustum bluster as they will, Or Hátim call to Supper⁠—heed not you.

Let time consume those ancient heroes; they are irrelevant to us. Pay no attention to the boasts of Zál and Rustum or the call of Hátim.

_The speaker dismisses legendary figures to emphasize living in the now._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/x
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters