Rasselas, the prince of Abyssinia, is confined in a palace in a valley. The valley, surrounded by mountains, is only accessible through a cavern guarded by massive iron gates. This valley is lush and fertile, filled with rivulets that create a lake in the center, and it supports a diverse array of flora and fauna. The palace itself, located on an eminence above the lake, is constructed with immense architectural sophistication, featuring hidden passages and secret rooms.

The valley, designed for perpetual pleasure, meets every desire of its residents, keeping them safe and content. However, Rasselas, at 26, grows increasingly restless, finding the endless entertainments hollow and unsatisfying. He seeks solitude, observing the natural world and envying the simple contentment of animals, whose needs are easily met. This dissatisfaction drives him to ponder the nature of happiness and human satisfaction.

Rasselas’s old instructor notices his withdrawal from the palace’s pleasures and seeks to counsel him. Initially resistant, Rasselas eventually explains that the luxuries and ease of the palace no longer satisfy him, leaving him feeling empty and purposeless. He articulates a sense of aimlessness—of lacking a desire or goal to motivate him.