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. Who does Seneca thank for sending him a book?

2. How long does it take Seneca to read the book he mentions in Letter XLVI?

3. Seneca says that a philosopher must distinguish himself from others with virtue, but what must the philosopher obey when doing so?

4. Who suggests the correspondence between Seneca and his student should increase?

5. According to Letter XL, what clue do people give as to whether they are organized or disorganized?

Short Essay Questions

1. Lucilius writes Seneca that his melancholy mood remained unchanged no matter how far he traveled from home. How does Seneca explain Lucilius' complaint?

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

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

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

5. What does Seneca say about developing friendships?

6. What happened when Seneca went out on the town in search of "witty entertainment" and how was he affected by the situation?

7. Why does Lucilius call Seneca a hypocrite in Letter VIII?

8. According to Seneca, how much concern should a wise man have regarding his or others' physical beauty?

9. What does Seneca say about the study of philosophy?

10. As Seneca comforts Lucilius at the loss of his friend, he says grief has a purpose. What is that purpose and how should a wise Stoic man deal with the death of a friend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the Stoic concepts of soul.

Essay Topic 2

Outline the history of Stoicism.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the theories of Stoicism with those of philosopher Epicurus.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 866 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample