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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is an example of unrehearsed communication?

3. How does noise affect Seneca's ability to study?

4. Which philosopher does Seneca quote in Letter II despite the fact that he does not particularly like him?

5. What is an oxymoron?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. When does Seneca say a master should correct his slaves? How should slaves be corrected and why?

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

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

8. What is the goal of philosophy, as stated by Seneca?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss causation, applying the theories of Stoicism, Aristotle and Plato.

Essay Topic 2

What is the Greek "golden mean" and how does it apply to Stoicism?

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)

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