Quatrain 140 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Analysis of the Rubai

This quatrain by Omar Khayyam is a somber reflection on the inevitability of death and the transience of human existence.

The Inescapable Fate of Death: The first two lines emphasize the universality of death and the emptiness of earthly possessions.
The Relief of Death: The third line suggests that others may find relief in the poet's death, perhaps because it frees them from some burden or obligation.
The Power of Death: The final line reinforces the idea that death is a force that cannot be escaped.

Deeper Meanings and Interpretations

The Vanity of Human Life: The poem suggests that human life is ultimately meaningless and full of suffering.
The Fear of Death: The fear of death is a universal human experience, and this poem suggests that death may be a release from suffering.
The Resignation to Fate: The poet seems to accept their fate with a sense of resignation, recognizing the futility of resisting death.

In essence, this rubai is a meditation on the human condition and the inevitability of death.