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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. Which of Lucilius' friends dies?

2. What does Seneca say cannot be learned only through reading?

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

4. In Letter XII, what does Seneca's property remind him?

5. What topic does Seneca discuss in Letter XL?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

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

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

7. What is Seneca's theory on slavery?

8. How does noise affect Seneca's studies and how does his explanation become a metaphor for the Stoic soul?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Zeno's life and his importance to Stoicism.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the ways Seneca treated or dealt with his asthma.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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