# The Bonhomme — The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám character guide

> The Bonhomme in The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám by Omar Khayyám.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the man

**First appearance:** 0000-omar-khayy-m-the-astronomer-poet-of-persia

## Who they are

Generic everyman figure used in philosophical musings.

## Relationships

### [Omar Khayyám](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/characters/omar_khayyam)

_friendship_

The Bonhomme is a jovial, common-sense companion who shares wine and philosophical banter with Omar.

### [Nizám ul Mulk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/characters/nizam_ul_mulk)

_social_

Nizám ul Mulk and The Bonhomme are acquaintances from different social spheres, connected through Omar.

### [Háfiz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/characters/hafiz)

_friendship_

Háfiz and The Bonhomme share a camaraderie over wine and earthy humor.

### [Hasan Ben Sabbáh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/characters/hasan_ben_sabbah)

_rivalry_

Hasan Ben Sabbáh's fanaticism clashes with The Bonhomme's simple, worldly pleasures.

### [Monsieur Nicolas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/characters/monsieur_nicolas)

_social_

Monsieur Nicolas observes The Bonhomme as a representative of the common folk in Omar's world.

### [The Súfi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/characters/the_sufi)

_rivalry_

The Bonhomme's carnal realism is at odds with the Súfi's spiritual austerity.

## In the story

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xii)

Implied as the 'Thou' or companion, representing the human connection that elevates the simple scene to paradise.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xxiii)

The speaker, representing humanity, reflects on the inevitability of death.

### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xxxv)

Implied as the everyman listener of the urn's advice.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xxxvii)

The speaker who remembers stopping to watch the Potter.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xli)

The addressee urged to abandon perplexity and embrace hedonistic pleasure.

### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xlix)

Addressed as 'Friend,' the companion urged to abandon the quest for ultimate truth.

### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lviii)

The speaker who encounters the angel at the tavern door.

### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lxx)

The 'you' addressed in the poem, representing every human being tossed into the field of life without choice.

### [LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lxxii)

The speaker, representing everyman, is urged not to seek help from the indifferent sky.

### [LXXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lxxxii)

The speaker stands alone in the Potter's house, observing the shapes of clay.

### [LXXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lxxxiv)

The speaker among the company who voices existential doubt about the purpose of being molded from Earth only to be destroyed.

### [LXXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lxxxv)

The second speaker, presenting a theological argument against divine destruction.

### [LXXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lxxxviii)

The speaker who dismisses the threat of damnation for flawed pots.

### [LXXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/lxxxix)

The speaker who murmurs about his clay being dried by oblivion and hopes to recover through wine.

### [XCV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xcv)

The speaker, reflecting on wine's cost and value.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/characters/the_bonhomme
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/characters