Rubaei 34 By Hafez Shirazi
Rubaei 34 By Hafez Shirazi
By
@hamed
چشمت که فسون و رنگ میبارد از او
افسوس که تیر جنگ میبارد از او
بس زود ملول گشتی از همنفَسان
آه از دل تو که سنگ میبارد از او
Description:
Literal Translation:
Your eye, from which enchantment and color rain,
Alas, from it also rain arrows of war.
You became very quickly bored of your companions,
Alas for your heart, from which stones rain.
Poetic and Interpretive Translation:
Your eyes, they cast a magical spell,
Yet wound me with arrows from hell.
You tire so quickly of those near and dear,
Your heart, alas, turns so cold and austere.
Analysis
This rubai by Hafez is a complex and multifaceted expression of love, betrayal, and disillusionment.
The Contradiction of the Beloved: The beloved's eyes are described as both enchanting and wounding. This paradox highlights the conflicting emotions the poet experiences.
The Beloved's Fickleness: The poet expresses disappointment in the beloved's fickleness, suggesting that they are quick to tire of their companions.
The Heart of Stone: The final line suggests that the beloved's heart is as hard as stone, incapable of feeling love or compassion.
Interpretation
The Dark Side of Love: This rubai offers a darker perspective on love, suggesting that it can be a source of both joy and pain. The beloved, who is often idealized in Persian poetry, is here portrayed as a complex and sometimes cruel figure.
The Pain of Betrayal: The poet's sense of betrayal is palpable. The beloved's fickleness and the hardness of their heart have caused the poet great suffering.
A Warning Against Idealization: This rubai serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of idealizing another person. By humanizing the beloved and revealing their flaws, Hafez suggests that even the most perfect-seeming individuals can disappoint.
In essence, this rubai is a meditation on the complexities of human relationships. It explores themes of love, betrayal, and disillusionment with a raw honesty that is characteristic of Hafez's poetry.