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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. What is an oxymoron?

2. According to Seneca as he comforts Lucilius, what is the death of a friend a reminder to do?

3. Who does Seneca praise in Letter XI?

4. What does Seneca say is the worst noise of all?

5. What does Seneca recommend avoiding in Letter VII?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why didn't the Stoics write a lot of quotable quotes for students to memorize? What is his opinion about quotable quotes?

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

4. What is the difference between a Stoic and anyone else in regards to emotions?

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

6. What does Seneca say about developing friendships?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is philosophy? What are ethics and what is the importance of ethics in philosophy?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Seneca's life on Nero's court.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the Stoic view of death and what happens after death.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 722 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample