Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

Name: Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia
Author: Samuel Johnson

By Samuel Johnson

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British Literature Novels Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

A young royal raised in an enclosed, picturesque valley becomes uneasy about the promise of perfect contentment and departs with companions to explore the wider world. Their journeys present a series of framed episodes—conversations with sages, portraits of courts and households, and visits to different modes of life—that examine pursuits of wealth, honor, learning, and pleasure. Through narrative vignette and philosophical reflection the text exposes the limitations and illusions of worldly aims and suggests that understanding, moral steadiness, and spiritual consolation are the truest sources of repose.

About the Author

Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an influential English writer and lexicographer, best known for his comprehensive dictionary, "A Dictionary of the English Language," which laid the groundwork for modern lexicography. His literary contributions span various genres, including poetry, essays, and biography. Johnson's works often reflect his keen insight into human nature and society, as seen in his notable titles such as "A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland" and "Lives of the English Poets." He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time, engaging with contemporaries like James Boswell, whose biography of Johnson remains a classic. His legacy endures in the realms of literature and language.