# The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson.

- [The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/the-history-of-rasselas-prince-of-abyssinia.md): The chapter introduces Rasselas, the fourth son of the Emperor of Abyssinia, who lives in the Happy Valley, a place of complete happiness and abundance. Despite all pleasures being provided, Rasselas grows discontented a
- [Description of a Palace in a Valley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/i-description-of-a-palace-in-a-valley.md): The chapter introduces the Happy Valley, a secluded paradise in Abyssinia where the royal children, including Prince Rasselas, are confined until succession. The valley is described as a place of natural beauty and abund
- [II: The Discontent of Rasselas in the Happy Valley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/ii-the-discontent-of-rasselas-in-the-happy-valley.md): Rasselas, now twenty-six, grows weary of the perpetual pleasures of the Happy Valley. He withdraws from amusements, takes solitary walks, and compares his own restless dissatisfaction with the contentment of animals. He 
- [III: The Wants of Him That Wants Nothing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/iii-the-wants-of-him-that-wants-nothing.md): Rasselas, frustrated by the monotony of the Happy Valley, rejects the counsel of his old instructor who insists he lacks nothing. The Prince explains that his unhappiness stems from having no wants, which leaves him with
- [IV: The Prince Continues to Grieve and Muse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/iv-the-prince-continues-to-grieve-and-muse.md): Rasselas, after a conversation with an old sage, experiences a brief hope that youth allows time for action, but soon falls into a pattern of idle daydreaming and visionary schemes. He spends twenty months in solitary mu

> 45 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se_775kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [The Prince Meditates His Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/v-the-prince-meditates-his-escape.md)
- [VI: A Dissertation on the Art of Flying](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/vi-a-dissertation-on-the-art-of-flying.md)
- [The Prince Finds a Man of Learning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/vii-the-prince-finds-a-man-of-learning.md)
- [The History of Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/viii-the-history-of-imlac.md)
- [The History of Imlac Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/ix-the-history-of-imlac-continued.md)
- [Imlac's History Continued—A Dissertation Upon Poetry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/x-imlac-s-history-continued-a-dissertation-upon-poetry.md)
- [XI: Imlac’s History Continued—A Hint of Pilgrimage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xi-imlac-s-history-continued-a-hint-of-pilgrimage.md)
- [The Story of Imlac Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xii-the-story-of-imlac-continued.md)
- [XIII: Rasselas Discovers the Means of Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xiii-rasselas-discovers-the-means-of-escape.md)
- [XIV: Rasselas and Imlac Receive an Unexpected Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xiv-rasselas-and-imlac-receive-an-unexpected-visit.md)
- [XV: The Prince and Princess Leave the Valley, and See Many Wonders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xv-the-prince-and-princess-leave-the-valley-and-see-many-wonders.md)
- [They Enter Cairo, and Find Every Man Happy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xvi-they-enter-cairo-and-find-every-man-happy.md)
- [The Prince Associates with Young Men of Spirit and Gaiety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xvii-the-prince-associates-with-young-men-of-spirit-and-gaiety.md)
- [The Prince Finds a Wise and Happy Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xviii-the-prince-finds-a-wise-and-happy-man.md)
- [XIX: A Glimpse of Pastoral Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xix-a-glimpse-of-pastoral-life.md)
- [The Danger of Prosperity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xx-the-danger-of-prosperity.md)
- [The Happiness of Solitude—The Hermit's History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxi-the-happiness-of-solitude-the-hermit-s-history.md)
- [The Happiness of a Life Led According to Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxii-the-happiness-of-a-life-led-according-to-nature.md)
- [The Prince and His Sister Divide Between Them the Work of Observation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxiii-the-prince-and-his-sister-divide-between-them-the-work-of-observation.md)
- [The Prince Examines the Happiness of High Stations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxiv-the-prince-examines-the-happiness-of-high-stations.md)
- [The Princess Pursues Her Inquiry with More Diligence Than Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxv-the-princess-pursues-her-inquiry-with-more-diligence-than-success.md)
- [The Princess Continues Her Remarks Upon Private Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxvi-the-princess-continues-her-remarks-upon-private-life.md)
- [Disquisition Upon Greatness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxvii-disquisition-upon-greatness.md)
- [Rasselas and Nekayah Continue Their Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxviii-rasselas-and-nekayah-continue-their-conversation.md)
- [XXIX: The Debate on Marriage Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxix-the-debate-on-marriage-continued.md)
- [Imlac Enters, and Changes the Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxx-imlac-enters-and-changes-the-conversation.md)
- [They Visit the Pyramids](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxi-they-visit-the-pyramids.md)
- [XXXII: They Enter the Pyramid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxii-they-enter-the-pyramid.md)
- [The Princess Meets with an Unexpected Misfortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-princess-meets-with-an-unexpected-misfortune.md)
- [They Return to Cairo Without Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxiv-they-return-to-cairo-without-pekuah.md)
- [XXXV: The Princess Languishes for Want of Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxv-the-princess-languishes-for-want-of-pekuah.md)
- [XXXVI: Pekuah Is Still Remembered. The Progress of Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxvi-pekuah-is-still-remembered-the-progress-of-sorrow.md)
- [The Princess Hears News of Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-princess-hears-news-of-pekuah.md)
- [The Adventures of the Lady Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-adventures-of-the-lady-pekuah.md)
- [The Adventures of Pekuah Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxix-the-adventures-of-pekuah-continued.md)
- [The History of a Man of Learning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xl-the-history-of-a-man-of-learning.md)
- [The Astronomer Discovers the Cause of His Uneasiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xli-the-astronomer-discovers-the-cause-of-his-uneasiness.md)
- [The Opinion of the Astronomer Is Explained and Justified](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xlii-the-opinion-of-the-astronomer-is-explained-and-justified.md)
- [The Astronomer Leaves Imlac His Directions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xliii-the-astronomer-leaves-imlac-his-directions.md)
- [XLIV: The Dangerous Prevalence of Imagination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xliv-the-dangerous-prevalence-of-imagination.md)
- [They Discourse with an Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xlv-they-discourse-with-an-old-man.md)
- [The Princess and Pekuah Visit the Astronomer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xlvi-the-princess-and-pekuah-visit-the-astronomer.md)
- [The Prince Enters, and Brings a New Topic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xlvii-the-prince-enters-and-brings-a-new-topic.md)
- [XLVIII: Imlac Discourses on the Nature of the Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xlviii-imlac-discourses-on-the-nature-of-the-soul.md)
- [The Conclusion, in Which Nothing Is Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xlix-the-conclusion-in-which-nothing-is-concluded.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters