The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia

What it is

This is The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia, a tale written by Samuel Johnson and first published in April 1759. Johnson, then fifty, is said to have written it quickly, around the time of his mother's death, to help cover funeral costs, though the exact circumstances are debated by scholars.

Why it matters

Rasselas follows a prince who escapes a sheltered valley to search the wider world for happiness, only to find it elusive everywhere. Early readers saw it as a serious philosophical work, and critics still debate whether to call it a novel. It reflects Johnson's lifelong interest in human ambition, disappointment, and moral wisdom, themes he explored elsewhere in his poetry too.

Look closer

• Why might Johnson have chosen a distant, imagined land as his setting rather than England?
• What does the prince's journey suggest about Johnson's view of happiness?
• How might writing quickly, under personal strain, have shaped the tone of the story?