The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia · Chapter
The Princess and Pekuah Visit the Astronomer explained
The Princess and Pekuah, intrigued by Imlac's description of the astronomer, seek to meet him.
What happens
The Princess and Pekuah, intrigued by Imlac's description of the astronomer, seek to meet him. After several schemes, Pekuah gains entry as a student of astronomy, and the astronomer is charmed by her. Over time, the astronomer becomes a close friend of the group, and his delusion of controlling the weather begins to fade as he enjoys human company. He confesses his doubts to Imlac, who advises him to resist his superstitious fears by engaging in worldly activities and companionship.
Themes in this chapter
The Limits of Reason and Imagination
The astronomer's delusion illustrates how imagination can overpower reason, and how social engagement can help restore mental balance.
Friendship and Community
The astronomer's recovery is aided by the companionship of the Princess, Pekuah, and Imlac, highlighting the therapeutic value of human connection.
Characters to notice
- Nekayah
The Princess, curious about the astronomer, accompanies Pekuah on visits and observes the astronomer's behavior.
- Pekuah
Devises a plan to visit the astronomer as a student, tells her story of the pyramid and Arab's island, and becomes a favorite of the astronomer.
- Imlac
Arranges the introduction, advises against deception, and later counsels the astronomer on overcoming his delusion.
- Rasselas
Objects to deceiving the astronomer, later becomes convinced of the astronomer's integrity and seeks his opinion on the choice of life.
- The Astronomer
Initially surprised by the visit, he grows fond of the ladies, begins to doubt his delusion, and confesses his fears to Imlac.
Key passages
“I have always considered it as treason against the great republic of human nature to make any man’s virtues the means of deceiving him, whether on great or little occasions.”
Rasselas argues that using someone's good qualities to trick them is a betrayal of humanity, regardless of the scale.
Rasselas objects to deceiving the astronomer by pretending to be in distress.
“No disease of the imagination is so difficult of cure as that which is complicated with the dread of guilt; fancy and conscience then act interchangeably upon us, and so often shift their places, that the illusions of one are not distinguished from the dictates of the other.”
Imlac explains that when imagination and guilt combine, it becomes hard to tell fantasy from moral duty, making the delusion especially hard to treat.
Imlac advises the astronomer on the nature of his delusion.