Quatrain 117 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Analysis of the Rubai

This quatrain by Omar Khayyam offers a profound meditation on the nature of existence and the search for meaning.

The Potter’s Shop as a Metaphor: The potter’s shop symbolizes the universe, and the pots represent individual lives.
The Silent Majority: The two thousand silent pots represent the vast majority of humanity who live their lives without questioning their existence.
The Questioning Pot: The one pot that cries out represents the individual who seeks meaning and purpose in life.
The Search for the Creator: The pot's questions "Where is the potter, the donkey, and the seller?" reflect a longing to understand the creator and the purpose of existence.

Deeper Meanings and Interpretations

The Existential Question: The poem raises the fundamental question of human existence: Why are we here?
The Search for Meaning: The questioning pot symbolizes the human desire for meaning and purpose.
The Limitations of Human Understanding: The silence of the other pots suggests that the answers to these questions may be beyond human comprehension.

In essence, this rubai is a philosophical exploration of the human condition and the mysteries of the universe.