Rasselas: Marriage, Pyramids, and a Kidnapping in Egypt

Rasselas: Marriage, Happiness, and the Human Condition

28. Rasselas tries to calm his sister, telling her not to be troubled by evil that has not yet come to pass. He answers everything the princess said previously: that marriage is not a problem, and it is normal for confrontations to arise, both outside and within marriage. She should not be troubled by the continuity of the species because they should seek the happiness of the individual, with or without marriage, populating the world or not, because it is the least of their problems.

29. The characters continue discussing marriage. Finally, they conclude that sooner or later, whether you marry or not, you will always experience both pleasures and problems. You must deal with them because you have to be consistent with your actions.

Imlac's Wisdom: Studying the Past to Understand the Present

30. In this chapter, Imlac arrives and suggests that Rasselas study the monuments of the ancient Egyptians. However, Rasselas replies that he is more interested in people than in buildings. But the princess and Imlac counter that it is impossible to understand a person's present without having studied their past. The present is a result of the past. Thus, through examples, they convince Rasselas, and they plan a visit to the pyramids.

A Journey to the Pyramids and a Fear of the Dead

31. Rasselas, Nekayah, and Imlac reach the pyramids and are amazed by their enormity. Imlac begins to describe the pyramid, praising its strength and meticulous construction. The next day, they organize a visit inside the pyramid, but one of the princesses refuses to go, fearing the dead. She believes that the dead can be anywhere. In any case, Pekuah prefers to stay outside with a princess.

Reflections on the Purpose of the Pyramids

32. When they entered the pyramid, they compare the function of the pyramid to that of the Great Wall of China. While one served for the defense of people, the other fulfilled the wishes of a ruler. The poet believes that this construction was based on the madness and the pain of humble people who placed stone upon stone to construct the pyramid.

Pekuah's Disappearance and the Search in Cairo

33. Upon returning from the pyramid, they find their camp destroyed, and one of them realizes that Pekuah is not with them. They deduce that she has been kidnapped by the Arabs who attacked the camp. They decide to go and find her, but their search is unsuccessful, and they decide to return to Cairo.

34. When they return, the princess goes to rest, worried about her friend. Rasselas goes to talk to the Bassa to find his sister. Imlac communicates with the dark circles, but they are not effective. The princess speaks with Imlac, lamenting having left Pekuah alone.