The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia

Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia engages with the ideals of the Enlightenment, an 18th-century Western intellectual movement that emphasized reason, science, and rationality as pathways to understanding and improving the human condition. The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was characterized by a belief in the power of human reason to challenge tradition and authority and to promote progress through knowledge and intellectual discourse.

The Enlightenment prioritized empirical evidence and scientific inquiry over “superstition” and religious dogma. Instead, Enlightenment thinkers sought to apply scientific methods to the study of society and human behavior, leading to advancements in political theory, economics, and ethics. Thinkers of this period, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant, argued for the application of reason to all aspects of life, advocating for education, individual liberty, and the separation of church and state. The period saw the rise of the public sphere, where ideas could be debated openly in salons, coffeehouses, and through print culture, all of which fostered an environment where intellectual exchange could flourish.

In the novel, Johnson explores these Enlightenment ideals by portraying Prince Rasselas and his companions engaging in The Philosophical Exploration of Happiness and Its Attainability. Their journey reflects the Enlightenment belief in empirical observation and rational thought, as they investigate various lifestyles and philosophies in their travels. Through the characters’ encounters with diverse individuals—from the poor to the wealthy and from scholars to hermits—the narrative examines the merits and pitfalls of different ways of life, mirroring the period’s inclination toward critical analysis and intellectual debate.

However, the novel also questions the limitations of rational thought in securing personal happiness. Johnson illustrates that despite intellectual pursuits and rational deliberation, the characters continue to grapple with existential dissatisfaction and unfulfilled desires. The work thus highlights the tension between the Enlightenment’s optimism about human reason and what the novel suggests is the complex and often irrational nature of human emotions and aspirations. Thus, the novel serves as both a product of and a commentary on Enlightenment thought, encouraging consideration of the balance between rationality and the emotional intricacies of human life.