Daily, Final Draft Stoicism Essay

    Josh Mannion

    4/5/11 

     Today, many people let their emotions take control of them and some can’t endure pain that comes with some tasks. One of the hardest tasks in life is to obtain stoicism. Stoicism is the ability to endure pain and hardship while retaining the ability to control one’s emotions; Seneca at his death was a perfect example of a stoic.
     At his death, “Seneca, quite unmoved, asked for tablets on which to inscribe his will” (Tacitus). As Seneca he showed no emotion what so ever, even though he knew he was already going to die. Seneca was able to control his emotions, even under extreme pressure. This shows his ability and will power to endure the pain while he knows that he is going to die. Stoics like Seneca, know not to let their emotions to get the best of them, and this quote from Seneca is a prime example. Seneca at his death was not only able to control his emotions while writing his will; he was also able to endure his hardship many other times.
     Seneca once said, “I received the impression that my character required improvement and discipline; and from him I learned not to be led astray to sophistic emulation, nor to writing on speculative matters, nor to delivering little hortatory orations, nor to showing myself off as a man who practices much discipline, or does benevolent acts in order to make a display; and to abstain from rhetoric, and poetry, and fine writing; and not to walk about in the house in my outdoor dress, nor to do other things of the kind; and to write my letters with simplicity” (Tacitus).Through this, one may realize that Seneca has the will power and heart to do what he knows is best for him. Seneca shows his determinedness to become a better person and to endure whatever pain that may come with that journey to correct his character. When Seneca said he will discipline himself, he knew that it wouldn’t be an easy task to endure the hardships it comes with, but Seneca completed that task showing no emotion just like any other stoic person would do. In this quote Seneca shows that he is able to complete a very difficult task with no emotion.
     This was written down about Seneca: “Upon this the tribune asserted that he saw no signs of fear, and perceived no sadness in his words or in his looks” (Tacitus).This quote about how Seneca controlled his emotions and endured the pain shows the true stoicism that he had. Even though Seneca knew his death was near, he showed no fear or sadness, where most ordinary people would just break out in tears of horror. Seneca controlled his emotions by showing no fear and not even looking sad in times of horror. This quote demonstrates how perfect of a stoic Seneca is because of him being able to take the pain and show no emotions. This also proves that Seneca and his stoicism cannot be broken apart; they are one and Seneca would never stop being stoic. This work demonstrates how a real stoic like Seneca should truly act.
     Through these quotes, one must realize that Seneca is a prime example of a stoic. Even at the hardest moments of life, during death, Seneca was able to control his emotions and endure the pain that comes with death. Seneca was by far, one of the greatest stoics who ever lived. He was able to discipline himself and even teach himself to be a better person. Even any one person wanted to be a stoic, the first person they should observe is Seneca.

Bibliography

Tacitus,(1998). In Tacitus: The Death of Seneca, 65 CE.
      Fordham.edu. Retrieved April4,2011,from
      http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/tacitus-ann15a.html