# The Princess Meets with an Unexpected Misfortune explained — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

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

## What happens

After exploring the Pyramid, the Princess and her party discover that the Lady Pekuah and her maids have been kidnapped by a troop of Arabs. Rasselas impulsively wants to pursue the robbers, but Imlac counsels against it, noting the futility of their slow beasts against the Arabs' trained horses. The returning Turkish horsemen confirm they could not overtake the captors, deepening the Princess's grief.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Inevitability of Suffering

The sudden kidnapping of Pekuah illustrates how suffering and misfortune can strike unexpectedly, even in the midst of exploration and learning.

### The Limits of Reason and Imagination

Imlac's reasoned counsel against pursuit highlights the limits of human power and foresight in the face of uncontrollable events.

## Character check-ins

### Nekayah

The Princess is overwhelmed with surprise and grief upon learning of Pekuah's kidnapping.

### Rasselas

In the first heat of resentment, Rasselas orders his servants to follow him and prepares to pursue the robbers, but is restrained by Imlac.

### Imlac

Imlac advises against violent pursuit, arguing that the Arabs' horses are superior and that leaving their station might lose the Princess without hope of regaining Pekuah.

### Pekuah

Pekuah is seized by the Arabs along with her two maids and carried away during the attack.

## Key lines

> You had scarcely entered into the Pyramid, when a troop of Arabs rushed upon us: we were too few to resist them, and too slow to escape.

No sooner had you entered the Pyramid than a band of Arabs attacked us; we were outnumbered and unable to flee.

_An attendant recounts the sudden raid to the Princess._

> Sir, what can you hope from violence or valour? The Arabs are mounted on horses trained to battle and retreat; we have only beasts of burden.

What do you expect to achieve by force or bravery? The Arabs ride horses bred for combat and quick withdrawal, while we have only pack animals.

_Imlac dissuades Rasselas from pursuing the kidnappers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-princess-meets-with-an-unexpected-misfortune
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters