The History of Rasselas
Samuel Johnson
Above all, Samuel Johnson’s Rasselas (1759) is concerned with the nature of happiness. Rasselas and his companions remove themselves from the pleasure of the ‘happy valley’ so that they can make their ‘choice of life’. In the course of their travels they come across scholars, astronomers, shepherds, hermits and poets, explore their way of life. Rasselas finds that complete happiness is elusive and, in the words of his mentor Imlac, ‘while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live’.
In his treatment of this popular tale from the Orient, Johnson deploys his customary wit and perspicacity. Popular in its own day, Rasselas is a journey of the mind and soul, raising important questions concerning the human condition, which remain pertinent today.
Author - Samuel Johnson.
Narrator - Peter Wickham.
Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Location:
United States
Description:
Above all, Samuel Johnson’s Rasselas (1759) is concerned with the nature of happiness. Rasselas and his companions remove themselves from the pleasure of the ‘happy valley’ so that they can make their ‘choice of life’. In the course of their travels they come across scholars, astronomers, shepherds, hermits and poets, explore their way of life. Rasselas finds that complete happiness is elusive and, in the words of his mentor Imlac, ‘while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live’. In his treatment of this popular tale from the Orient, Johnson deploys his customary wit and perspicacity. Popular in its own day, Rasselas is a journey of the mind and soul, raising important questions concerning the human condition, which remain pertinent today. Author - Samuel Johnson. Narrator - Peter Wickham. Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Language:
English
Chapter 1
Duration:00:00:12
Chapter 2
Duration:00:06:43
Chapter 3
Duration:00:06:44
Chapter 4
Duration:00:04:03
Chapter 5
Duration:00:08:11
Chapter 6
Duration:00:03:01
Chapter 7
Duration:00:09:08
Chapter 8
Duration:00:03:03
Chapter 9
Duration:00:08:35
Chapter 10
Duration:00:06:39
Chapter 11
Duration:00:07:02
Chapter 12
Duration:00:07:49
Chapter 13
Duration:00:10:50
Chapter 14
Duration:00:05:09
Chapter 15
Duration:00:03:01
Chapter 16
Duration:00:04:23
Chapter 17
Duration:00:07:35
Chapter 18
Duration:00:03:17
Chapter 19
Duration:00:06:47
Chapter 20
Duration:00:02:53
Chapter 21
Duration:00:03:50
Chapter 22
Duration:00:06:10
Chapter 23
Duration:00:06:15
Chapter 24
Duration:00:01:57
Chapter 25
Duration:00:03:05
Chapter 26
Duration:00:04:38
Chapter 27
Duration:00:06:36
Chapter 28
Duration:00:05:19
Chapter 29
Duration:00:06:26
Chapter 30
Duration:00:08:49
Chapter 31
Duration:00:06:51
Chapter 32
Duration:00:05:07
Chapter 33
Duration:00:03:25
Chapter 34
Duration:00:02:24
Chapter 35
Duration:00:06:22
Chapter 36
Duration:00:08:31
Chapter 37
Duration:00:02:26
Chapter 38
Duration:00:03:28
Chapter 39
Duration:00:09:10
Chapter 40
Duration:00:12:17
Chapter 41
Duration:00:04:44
Chapter 42
Duration:00:02:46
Chapter 43
Duration:00:04:11
Chapter 44
Duration:00:03:21
Chapter 45
Duration:00:05:58
Chapter 46
Duration:00:07:04
Chapter 47
Duration:00:13:10
Chapter 48
Duration:00:08:35
Chapter 49
Duration:00:09:17
Chapter 50
Duration:00:02:29