# XVII explained — The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

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

## What happens

The chapter reflects on the transient nature of power and life, comparing the world to a battered caravanserai where successive Sultáns briefly dwell before departing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Transience

The chapter emphasizes the brief tenure of Sultáns and all humans in the world, a temporary resting place.

## Character check-ins

### Sultán

Represented as successive rulers who abide their destined hour and then pass away.

## Key lines

> Think, in this batter’d Caravanserai Whose Portals are alternate Night and Day, How Sultán after Sultán with his Pomp Abode his destined Hour, and went his way.

Consider this worn-down inn of the world, where the doors are night and day in turn; see how one ruler after another, with all their splendor, stays only for their fated time and then departs.

_The passage uses the caravanserai metaphor to highlight the ephemeral nature of earthly power and life._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xvii
- 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