# Rasselas — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia character guide > Rasselas in The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Prince, Prince, XIII Rasselas, High Stations Rasselas **First appearance:** 0001-the-history-of-rasselas-prince-of-abyssinia ## Snapshot A prince caged in a paradise where every wish is granted, he slips the iron gate to hunt for the one thing the Happy Valley cannot supply: a reason to live. ## Who they are Fourth son of the mighty Emperor of Abyssinia, Rasselas is raised in the Happy Valley, a walled garden of perpetual delight where no want goes unanswered and no danger intrudes. That very perfection breeds a restless melancholy: he cannot name what he lacks, only that pleasure without purpose has begun to feel like a slow death. His escape with his sister and the poet Imlac sets the book's central question in motion — whether any man can choose a life he will not later regret. ## Relationships ### [Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/imlac) _friendship_ Imlac serves as Rasselas's wise mentor and traveling companion, guiding his philosophical inquiries. ### [The Astronomer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_astronomer) _psychological_ Rasselas becomes fascinated by the Astronomer's delusion of controlling the weather, exploring the boundaries of reason and madness. ### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_old_man) _social_ Rasselas interviews the Old Man about his long life and the nature of enduring happiness. ### [The Hermit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_hermit) _social_ Rasselas visits the Hermit to learn about the solitary life but finds him disillusioned. ### [The Bassa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_bassa) _social_ Rasselas observes the Bassa's rise and fall from power as a lesson in political ambition. ### [Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/pekuah) _social_ Pekuah is a servant to Nekayah and interacts with Rasselas primarily through her connection to the princess. ### [The Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_princess) _family_ The Princess is Rasselas's sister (often conflated with Nekayah in some editions), sharing his journey. ### [Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/imlac) _friendship_ Imlac serves as Rasselas's wise mentor and traveling companion, guiding his philosophical inquiries. ### [Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/imlac) _friendship_ Imlac serves as Rasselas's wise mentor and traveling companion, guiding his philosophical inquiries. ### [The Astronomer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_astronomer) _psychological_ Rasselas becomes fascinated by the Astronomer's delusion of controlling the weather, exploring the boundaries of reason and madness. ### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_old_man) _social_ Rasselas interviews the Old Man about his long life and the nature of enduring happiness. ### [The Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_princess) _family_ The Princess is Rasselas's sister (often conflated with Nekayah in some editions), sharing his journey. ## In the story ### [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) The Prince of Abyssinia, who becomes discontented with the perfect but monotonous life in the Happy Valley. ### [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) Introduced as the fourth son of the Emperor of Abyssinia, confined in the Happy Valley until called to the throne. ### [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) In the twenty-sixth year of his age, Rasselas begins to withdraw from pleasures, meditates on the difference between man and beast, and expresses a latent desire for something beyond the Happy Valley. ### [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) Expresses his discontent and the paradox of wanting nothing, leading him to desire seeing the world's miseries. ### [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) Rasselas experiences a flicker of hope in his youth, then spends twenty months in idle fantasy before reproaching himself for inaction and resolving to escape. ### [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) The prince actively searches for an escape route, climbing mountains, examining the gate, and exploring the cavern, but finds all ways blocked. He remains hopeful despite ten months of fruitless efforts. ### [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) Visits the artist, expresses curiosity and skepticism about flying, and hopes the invention might aid his escape. ### [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) Persists in his design to escape the Happy Valley, suffers from discontent, and eagerly engages Imlac for knowledge of the world. ### [The History of Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/viii-the-history-of-imlac) Interrupts Imlac's narrative with passionate objections to oppression and questions about his father's inconsistencies. ### [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) Interrupts Imlac to question the motives behind human depravity and fraud. ### [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) The Prince interjects with a comment on the vastness of nature, noting that even within the Happy Valley he continually discovers new things. ### [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) Expresses a desire to visit Palestine and questions Imlac about the happiness of European nations. ### [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) The Prince confesses his discontent and long-meditated plan to escape the Happy Valley, seeking Imlac's guidance. ### [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) The Prince, now relieved to have a companion, eagerly pursues escape and is initially discouraged but encouraged by Imlac. ### [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) Discovers Nekayah at the mouth of the cavity and decides to confide in her, agreeing to her request to join the escape. ### [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) Leads the escape from the Happy Valley, conceals his fear, and learns to adapt to common life under Imlac's guidance. ### [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) The Prince, initially deceived by the apparent happiness of others, confesses his own restlessness and learns that gaiety may be counterfeit. ### [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) Rasselas joins young men of spirit and gaiety, becomes weary and disgusted, and attempts to remonstrate with them about their lifestyle. ### [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) Seeks a wise and happy man, attends the philosopher's lecture, and later confronts the philosopher's grief. ### [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) Eager to continue his inquiry into happiness, he proposes visiting the hermit. ### [The Danger of Prosperity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xx-the-danger-of-prosperity) Observes the master's happiness and hopes to find what he seeks, but learns of the danger of prosperity. ### [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) Seeks the hermit's direction in the choice of life. ### [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) Relates his interview with the hermit to the assembly and humbly asks the philosopher to define living according to Nature. ### [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) Rasselas returns home full of reflections, doubts his future steps, and communicates his observations to Imlac and his sister. ### [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) Visits the Bassa's court to observe the happiness of high stations, witnesses the treachery and downfall of the Bassa. ### [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) Rasselas meets with Nekayah in the evening summerhouse and compares her findings to his own observations in Courts. ### [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) Listens to his sister's remarks and expresses doubt and confusion about the best course of life. ### [Disquisition Upon Greatness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxvii-disquisition-upon-greatness) Rasselas argues that greatness and power do not bring happiness, citing the inevitable opposition, betrayal, and injustice faced by those in high stations. ### [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) Argues that marriage is a dictate of nature and a means to happiness, cautioning against exaggerating evils. ### [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) Argues that marriage can be made happy through prudence and benevolence, and that early marriages often lead to disappointment. ### [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) Expresses discouragement after hearing Nekayah's history of private life, but agrees to see all that deserves his search. ### [They Visit the Pyramids](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxi-they-visit-the-pyramids) Reassures Pekuah about the dead, promising safety from apparitions. ### [XXXII: They Enter the Pyramid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxii-they-enter-the-pyramid) Rasselas is present among those who enter the Pyramid and hear Imlac's discourse. ### [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) In the first heat of resentment, Rasselas orders his servants to follow him and prepares to pursue the robbers, but is restrained by Imlac. ### [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) Presents a memorial to the Bassa seeking redress for the kidnapping. ### [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) Tries to comfort and divert Nekayah; secures her promise to wait a year before any unalterable resolution. ### [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) Desires to accompany Imlac to the Arab's fortress but is dissuaded by his sister and Imlac. ### [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) Asks about the Arab's seraglio and rewards Pekuah with a hundred ounces of gold after her story. ### [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) Declares his intention to devote himself to science and literary solitude. ### [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) Listens to the astronomer's narration with serious regard and inquires about the frequency of such mental maladies. ### [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) Confesses his indulgence in imagining a perfect government, even to the point of contemplating the death of his father and brothers. ### [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) Consoles himself that if age can be calm, youth may be happy. ### [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) Objects to deceiving the astronomer, later becomes convinced of the astronomer's integrity and seeks his opinion on the choice of life. ### [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) Enters with the Princess and Pekuah, proposes a visit to the catacombs, and reflects on the need for variety. ### [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) Questions how anything without extension can be conceived and later reflects on the shortness of life, urging the party to remember the choice of life. ### [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) Desires a little kingdom to administer justice personally, but cannot fix its limits. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters