# The Old Man — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia character guide

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

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0046-xlv-they-discourse-with-an-old-man

## Who they are

An aged philosopher who discourses on the vanity of human wishes.

## Relationships

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

_social_

Rasselas interviews the Old Man about his long life and the nature of enduring happiness.

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

_social_

Imlac engages the Old Man in conversation about the futility of seeking constant happiness.

### [Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/pekuah)

_social_

Pekuah has minimal direct interaction with the Old Man, mostly as a listener.

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

_social_

Rasselas interviews the Old Man about his long life and the nature of enduring happiness.

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

_social_

Imlac engages the Old Man in conversation about the futility of seeking constant happiness.

### [Pekuah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/characters/pekuah)

_social_

Pekuah has minimal direct interaction with the Old Man, mostly as a listener.

## In the story

### [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)

One of the sages, whose conversation Rasselas formerly delighted in, follows him secretly to discover the cause of his disquiet.

### [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)

The old instructor attempts to counsel Rasselas but is surprised by the Prince's novel affliction.

### [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)

The old sage departs discontented after his reasoning inadvertently strengthens Rasselas's desire to leave the valley.

### [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.

### [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)

A sage who laments the emptiness of praise, the loss of loved ones, and unfulfilled designs.

## Links

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