# The Astronomer — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia character guide > The Astronomer in The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** a man of learning **First appearance:** 0041-xl-the-history-of-a-man-of-learning ## Snapshot A learned recluse convinced he governs the weather and the seasons, he embodies how solitary study can curdle into a private, consuming madness. ## Who they are The astronomer is a man of genuine learning whose long isolation has bred a delusion of cosmic power: he believes the sun and moon obey his commands and that the world's order depends on his vigilance. His affliction is not vanity but a mind turned inward until it mistook its own patterns for the machinery of the heavens. He matters because he tests the travelers' compassion and their theories of happiness — proving that even the wisest life can be undone by solitude, and that sanity may require the company the Happy Valley was built to provide. ## Relationships ### [Rasselas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas) _psychological_ Rasselas becomes fascinated by the Astronomer's delusion of controlling the weather, exploring the boundaries of reason and madness. ### [Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/imlac) _social_ Imlac introduces the Astronomer to the group and mediates his strange confessions with calm understanding. ### [The Hermit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_hermit) _social_ The Astronomer and the Hermit are both isolated figures whose paths cross briefly in discussions of solitude. ### [The Bassa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_bassa) _social_ The Astronomer and the Bassa are both figures of power and delusion, but they do not interact directly in the narrative. ### [Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/imlac) _social_ Imlac introduces the Astronomer to the group and mediates his strange confessions with calm understanding. ### [Rasselas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas) _psychological_ Rasselas becomes fascinated by the Astronomer's delusion of controlling the weather, exploring the boundaries of reason and madness. ### [Rasselas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas) _psychological_ Rasselas becomes fascinated by the Astronomer's delusion of controlling the weather, exploring the boundaries of reason and madness. ## In the story ### [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) Not present in this chapter. ### [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) A man of vast learning and benevolence who shows signs of a painful secret despite his apparent happiness. ### [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) The astronomer confesses his long-held belief that he regulates the weather and seasons. ### [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) The astronomer reveals his belief that he has controlled the weather for ten years and seeks a worthy successor. ### [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) Delivers his directions about controlling the weather and sun, expressing relief at transferring his imagined duty. ### [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) Initially surprised by the visit, he grows fond of the ladies, begins to doubt his delusion, and confesses his fears to Imlac. ### [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) Expresses relief at having shared his troubles with Imlac and hopes for peace. ### [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) Cautions against limiting the Creator's power and notes that materialists argue matter may have unknown qualities. ### [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) Content to be driven along the stream of life without directing his course to any particular port. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_astronomer - 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