Rough Draft, In Class Academic Essay

One of the hardest tasks in life is to endure pain and control your emotions. The will power and the capability to do this is called 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.” 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.” 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.


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.