Edward Fitzgerald's Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: Anthem Nineteenth-Century Series

The book presents the text of Edward FitzGerald's three main versions of the Rub iy t of Omar Khayy m in an easily accessible form, together with a non-technical commentary on the origins, role and influence of the poem. The reader is given a chance to evaluate each of FitzGerald's alternative texts as a whole and to examine how the poet presented his texts to the public and annotated the verses. The commentary discusses the lives and work of Khayy m and FitzGerald, and recounts the fascinating story the publication of the Rub iy t and its rise to great fame and popularity, including a look at the wide-ranging spin-offs the poem has generated in art, music and other fields. The editors use the latest research to analyze the poem's worldwide influence during the 150 years since its first appearance and the continuing relevance of the poem in the world of the 21st century.