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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 says that hope is the cause of fear?

2. In a large group of people, how might their vices seem, according to Seneca?

3. What does Lucilius ask Seneca to include in his letters?

4. Why, according to Seneca, shouldn't old age frighten a wise man?

5. Who finances the celebration that is held at the time Letter XVII is written?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is a sedan chair and why does Seneca use one occasionally?

5. In Letter II, how does Seneca advise Lucilius to proceed with his study of philosophy?

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

7. According to Seneca, who should think about death and why?

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

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

10. What is the appeal of a slow death for Stoics? What does Seneca believe happens after death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are three types of irony: verbal, situational and dramatic. Define each and discuss at least two examples of irony in Seneca's letters.

Essay Topic 2

Define and discuss "apatheia."

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Seneca's retirement from Nero's court and his quest for apatheia.

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