Imlac's Allegorical Role in Samuel Johnson's Rasselas

Allegories in Rasselas

An allegory is a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; a figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. This analysis points out allegories found in Samuel Johnson's The History of Rasselas: Prince of Abyssinia.

The Figure of Imlac

The figure of Imlac in the story is very important, but it's not immediately clear who he is, or at least what he stands for. We know that he is a philosopher who has travelled extensively around the world and is now in the Happy Valley, but is that all?

If we analyze what he says and the role he represents for the protagonist, Rasselas, we realize that he is more than just a philosopher.

He acts as a guide for Rasselas on his journey, always present, trying to steer Rasselas onto the right path. He consistently warns him about potential pitfalls, much like a parent would.

Examples of Imlac's Guidance

• “Be not too hasty,” said Imlac, “to trust, or to admire, the teachers of morality: they discourse like angels, but they live like men.” Here, Imlac is warning Rasselas about the wise man he wants to imitate in Chapter 18.
• “It seems to me,” said Imlac, “that while you are making the choice of life, you neglect to live […]”
• “Very few,” said the poet, “live by choice. Every man is placed in his present condition by causes which acted without his foresight […]” Here, Imlac explains to Rasselas that not every person can choose their life, as Rasselas doesn't understand why someone would choose a life in which they are unhappy.

Imlac as the Voice of Wisdom

As we can see, Imlac functions like the voice of wisdom. He tells Rasselas what is right to do and consistently cautions him about his decisions, similar to how our parents might. He represents the rational element among the main characters (Rasselas, Nekayah, and himself). While Nekayah and Rasselas are not irrational, Imlac embodies rationality more distinctly.

It seems likely that the author, Samuel Johnson, used this character as an allegory for something more profound. Although Johnson does not explicitly state it, we can speculate on what Imlac might represent. Perhaps he is an allegory of a father, a mother, a spiritual guide, or simply people who love and care about us. What remains certain is that Imlac plays a crucial role in the story and in Rasselas's journey.