For this close reading, I have selected a related stanza and piece of artwork from my edition. These two elements contribute to the poem’s message about enjoyment and value of the physical world, through its beautiful portrayal of nature, vibrant colors, and depiction of what appears to be a romantic moment between a couple.
On page 55 of this 1935 edition of the Rubáiyát, one can read a translation of stanza 12 of the poem (see fig. 1), which reads, “A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,//A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread—and Thou//Beside me singing in the…