View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whose estate does Seneca ride past in Letter LV?

2. How should an owner be seen by his slaves, according to Seneca?

3. How does Seneca say a wise man should act toward the festival celebrated in Letter XVII?

4. Who is chastised in Letter III for not discussing his personal matters?

5. According to Seneca, if one begins taking lessons other than philosophy, what happens?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Seneca's thoughts on the phrase "cheerful poverty?"

2. What does Seneca say the unphilosophical life lacks and what does it have? Why is the life of a philosopher better?

3. What is a "quibbler" and what advice does Seneca offer to Lucilius about quibblers?

4. What does Seneca say about developing friendships?

5. What is Seneca's opinion of Vatia? How does it differ from public opinion?

6. What does Seneca tell Lucilius about the pace of speech?

7. What is the difference between physical and spiritual ailments, according the Seneca's seasick boat trip example?

8. What does Seneca confide to Lucilius about his own vices?

9. Discuss the necessity of and the problem with diversions, according to Seneca.

10. According to Seneca, how should a wise man deal with grief itself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Seneca's views on the importance of speech pace.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the festival Saturnalia. When was it held, what did it celebrate, etc? What is its relationship to a particular Christian holiday?

Essay Topic 3

Who was Posidonius? Discuss the issue Seneca had with one of his claims and talk about the many roles of Posidonius.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 806 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample