Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam of Naishápúr - Classic Text | Alexandria
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam of Naishapur (by Edward Fitzgerald) refers to a poetic work that is both a celebrated translation and a unique creation born from the fusion of Persian wisdom and Victorian sensibilities. Not merely a literal rendering of Omar Khayyam’s rubaiyat (quatrains), Fitzgerald’s version – or perhaps vision - presents a profound exploration of existential themes through vivid imagery, capturing the essence of carpe diem and skeptical inquiry that continue to resonate across centuries.
The earliest seeds of this literary phenomenon were sown in 12th-century Persia, where Omar Khayyam, a renowned mathematician and astronomer, penned his rubaiyat. However, Western awareness remained dormant until the 19th century. Records indicate that manuscripts of Khayyam's poems circulated, known only to a few Oriental scholars. It was not until 1859 - amidst the burgeoning Orientalism movement – that Edward Fitzgerald published his initial, and largely unnoticed, adaptation, a seemingly insignificant event that would later eclipse its source in global fame. The period also saw intensifying colonial interests in Persia (now Iran), a backdrop that adds layers of complexity to any interpretation of Fitzgerald's transformative translation.
Over time, Fitzgerald’s Rubaiyat evolved from obscurity to a cultural touchstone, influencing artists, poets, and thinkers across the globe. The Pre-Raphaelites, enchanted by its exotic imagery and philosophical musings, propelled the work into the aesthetic limelight. Subsequent editions, each subtly altered by Fitzgerald, further cemented its status. Intriguingly, the exact fidelity of Fitzgerald's translation to Khayyam's original work remains a subject of debate. Some scholars argue that Fitzgerald took considerable liberties, effectively creating a new work inspired by Khayyam, rather than a strict translation. This begs the question: where does translation end and artistic creation begin?
The Rubaiyat's legacy endures, its verses echoing in contemporary literature, film, and music. The poem's themes of mortality, pleasure, and the elusiveness of truth continue to find fresh relevance in an increasingly complex world. Its enduring mystique lies perhaps in its ability to prompt profound questions about existence, faith, and the very nature of reality – questions that invite us to reflect on what is truly timeless. Is the Rubaiyat merely a testament to a long-dead Persian sage, or does it hold a mirror to our own fleeting lives, urging us to seize each moment with both joy and awareness?