Quatrain 165 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Analysis of the Rubai

This quatrain by Omar Khayyam expresses a deep-seated longing for liberation from the constraints of life.

The Futility of Hope: The first line suggests that the poet has placed hope in something, perhaps a future event or a higher power, but has found it to be fruitless.
The Desire for Release: The second line expresses a desire to end one's existence, to be free from the troubles of life.
The Prison of Existence: The third line compares life to a prison, a place of confinement and limitation.
The Wish for Non-Existence: The final line reveals a longing for death, seen as a means of escape from the suffering of life.

Deeper Meanings and Interpretations

The Burden of Existence: The poem suggests that the poet finds the burden of existence to be overwhelming.
The Search for Meaning: The poet's longing for an end to life may also be seen as a search for meaning or purpose.
The Allure of the Unknown: The idea of non-existence, while frightening to some, may hold a certain allure for the poet, offering a release from the pain and suffering of life.

In essence, this rubai is a meditation on the human condition, exploring themes of hope, despair, and the search for meaning.