
Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyam, Rendered into English Verse (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Persian Quatrains of Wine, Love, Fate, and Mortal Wisdom in Victorian VerseBy Omar KhayyamLength3h 19m
About this audiobook
Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyam, Rendered into English Verse gathers the celebrated quatrains attributed to the Persian poet in a form that made them central to English literary culture. Meditative, sensuous, and epigrammatic, the poems contemplate wine, love, time, fate, and mortality with a poised skepticism that resists doctrinal certainty. Their compact lyricism belongs to the Persian rubāʿī tradition, yet the English rendering gives them a Victorian music of melancholy elegance. Omar Khayyam (1048–1131) was not only a poet but also a mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher of Nishapur, a figure whose scientific discipline sharpened rather than diminished his awareness of human limitation. Living within the intellectual richness of medieval Persia, he inherited traditions of Islamic learning, Sufi speculation, and classical Persian artistry. The verses associated with him reflect a mind drawn to cosmic order yet troubled by the brevity and opacity of earthly life. This book is recommended to readers who value poetry that is both intellectually searching and emotionally immediate. It will especially appeal to those interested in world literature, philosophical lyric poetry, and the cultural passage of Persian verse into English. Brief in form but vast in implication, the Rubáiyát rewards rereading and reflection.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenrePoetry
Length3 hrs 19 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 26, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
9THE FIRST EDITION OF THE TRANSLATION
2Introduction
10RUBÁIYÁT OF OMAR KHAYYÁM
3Synopsis
11THE SECOND EDITION OF THE TRANSLATION
4Historical Context
12THE FIFTH EDITION OF THE TRANSLATION
5Author Biography
13VARIATIONS IN THE THIRD EDITION OF THE TRANSLATION
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6ILLUSTRATIONS
14Analysis
7BIOGRAPHICAL PREFACE
15Reflection
8OMAR KHAYYÁM
16Memorable Quotes