Poem Analysis - It Is The Rule With Drunkards

An Intoxicated Dive into Divine Love

Rumi's "It Is The Rule With Drunkards…" is a passionate and intoxicating exploration of love, depicting it as a state of ecstatic abandonment akin to drunkenness. The poem juxtaposes the earthly chaos of drunkards with the elevated experience of lovers, ultimately portraying love as a transformative and all-consuming force. The tone is initially playful and almost chaotic, then shifts towards a more devotional and pleading quality as the speaker grapples with the overwhelming nature of love. There's a sense of urgency and vulnerability throughout, as the speaker risks everything for this profound connection.

Historical Context: Sufi Mysticism

Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic, and this background deeply informs his poetry. Sufism emphasizes a direct, personal experience of the divine, often expressed through metaphors of love, intoxication, and union. This poem reflects that tradition by using the imagery of drunkenness as a metaphor for spiritual ecstasy and the lover's state of being consumed by the divine. The "idol" mentioned could refer to a spiritual guide or, ultimately, God.

The All-Consuming Nature of Divine Love

One of the central themes is the all-consuming nature of love. The poem equates the lover to someone even more lost and chaotic than a drunkard, suggesting that love obliterates the ego and rational thought. This is reinforced by the image of falling into a goldmine, representing the overwhelming richness and transformative power of love. The lover is willing to risk everything, even appearing foolish (like the darvish begging), for this connection.

Transcendence through Abandonment

Another key theme is transcendence through abandonment. The poem suggests that true freedom and security come not from worldly possessions or status ("not caring for the golden crown"), but from surrendering oneself to love. The image of the moon "flinging his girdle on the road" symbolizes this abandonment of worldly concerns and embracing a state of intoxicated freedom. The speaker encourages the heart to embrace this "roistering" and lose itself in the experience.

The Paradox of Destruction and Creation

The poem also explores the paradox of destruction and creation inherent in love. The line "to shatter glasses, and to fall upon the glassmaker!" suggests that love can be a destructive force, overturning established norms and expectations. However, this destruction is ultimately seen as a necessary step towards a new creation, a "newborn rule" born from the intoxicating experience of divine love. The breaking of the bowl symbolizes the breaking of old patterns to welcome new possibilities.

Intoxication as a Metaphor for Spiritual Ecstasy

The recurring image of intoxication serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual ecstasy. The poem uses the language of drunkenness – "drunkards," "wine," "roistering" – to convey the feeling of being overwhelmed and transported by love. This intoxication is not merely a state of inebriation, but a metaphor for the dissolution of the ego and the union with the divine. The speaker embraces this state, pleading not to be left alone in it, as it represents a vulnerable but ultimately transformative connection.

A Plea for Acceptance and Understanding

The poem concludes with a plea for understanding and acceptance of the lover's seemingly erratic behavior. The speaker acknowledges their "drunkenness" and begs not to be abandoned, recognizing the potential dangers of this state. This vulnerability underscores the profound dependence and trust that characterize the lover's relationship with the beloved, and invites the reader to consider if, perhaps, the speaker's drunken antics are merely a side-effect of something beautiful and profound.