# XIV: Rasselas and Imlac Receive an Unexpected Visit explained — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

> Chapter companion for The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson.

## What happens

Rasselas and Imlac are discovered in their escape preparations by Princess Nekayah, who insists on joining them. Rasselas agrees, and they complete their tunnel to the top of the mountain, where they behold the Nile and anticipate their departure from the Happy Valley.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Illusion of Perfect Places

The Happy Valley is described as a 'tasteless tranquillity' from which both Rasselas and Nekayah seek escape, highlighting its failure to provide true contentment.

### The Search for Happiness

Rasselas anticipates the pleasures of travel and a wider horizon, while Imlac's tempered expectations reflect the theme's complexity.

## Character check-ins

### Rasselas

Discovers Nekayah at the mouth of the cavity and decides to confide in her, agreeing to her request to join the escape.

### Imlac

Completes the tunnel with Rasselas; is joyful at escape but has less expectation of pleasure in the world due to prior experience.

### Nekayah

Reveals she has observed Rasselas and Imlac's daily walks and insists on joining their escape, expressing equal weariness of confinement.

## Key lines

> I am equally weary of confinement with yourself, and not less desirous of knowing what is done or suffered in the world.

Nekayah declares she is just as tired of being confined and as eager to learn about the world's joys and sorrows as Rasselas is.

_Nekayah's motivation for joining the escape mirrors Rasselas's own discontent._

> The Prince looked round with rapture, anticipated all the pleasures of travel, and in thought was already transported beyond his father’s dominions.

Rasselas gazed joyfully at the view, imagining the delights of journeying and mentally leaving his father's lands behind.

_Rasselas's immediate exhilaration upon reaching the mountain top contrasts with Imlac's more cautious outlook._

## Links

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