# The Hermit — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia character guide

> The Hermit in The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0022-xxi-the-happiness-of-solitude-the-hermit-s-history

## Who they are

A solitary man who lived in the desert and later returns to society.

## Relationships

### [Rasselas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas)

_social_

Rasselas visits the Hermit to learn about the solitary life but finds him disillusioned.

### [Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/imlac)

_social_

Imlac speaks with the Hermit as a fellow traveler in the search for wisdom.

### [The Astronomer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_astronomer)

_social_

The Astronomer and the Hermit are both isolated figures whose paths cross briefly in discussions of solitude.

### [Imlac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/imlac)

_social_

Imlac speaks with the Hermit as a fellow traveler in the search for wisdom.

### [Rasselas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/rasselas)

_social_

Rasselas visits the Hermit to learn about the solitary life but finds him disillusioned.

## 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 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)

Relates his history of military service and fifteen years of solitude, resolving to return to society.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/the_hermit
- 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