Stoicism

When something happens either good or bad, feelings are naturally produced in the process. Now the problem is what should be done with those feelings? Should a person act on their emotions? Or should they instead hide their feelings? Stoicism is the belief that when confronted with hardships that one has to control his or her emotions; the events surrounding the death of Seneca are a perfect illustration of stoicism in action.

Seneca deeply believed in the philosophy of stoicism. “Upon this the tribune asserted that he saw no signs of fear, and perceived no sadness in his words or in his looks. (Tactius, 1998)” This description of Seneca was said from a tribune, who was an official elected by the plebeians to protect their rights, after the tribune asked Seneca if he was considering suicide. From this, Seneca shows how good he was at controlling his emotions both in the way he held himself and how others perceived him as. He clearly is not easily affected by what happening around him or what others think of him. By this unclaimed amount of emotion, Seneca is the perfect role model for stoicism.  

Later when Seneca’s beloved wife found out about his death order, she insisted to die with him. He replied, “There upon Seneca, not to thwart her noble ambition, from an affection too which would not leave behind him for insult one whom he dearly loved, replied: ‘I have shown you ways of smoothing life; you prefer the glory of dying. I will not grudge you such a noble example. Let the fortitude of so courageous an end be alike in both of us, but let there be more in your decease to win fame. (Tactius, 1998)” In the philosophy of stoicism, there is also the belief that no matter what happens, the task must be completed. In this circumstance, the goal was to die in glory. Seneca’s wife was willing to give up her own life, the ultimate sacrifice, in result of reaching her aspirations. Because of this Seneca, himself, respected her decision. The death of Seneca proves to be the perfect example of the philosophy of stoicism in many different events such as this one.

“So he had directed in a codicil of his will, when even in the height of his wealth and power he was thinking of his life's close. (Tactius, 1998)” This not only shows how driven Seneca was, but also how he did not let his emotions effect his actions. He did not care about the wealth or power but only to die in glory. His ambitions were his only priority in life, regardless of his current surroundings or feelings. Seneca, himself, strongly believed in and lived his life by the philosophy of stoicism.         

Bibliography

Tactius. (1998). The Death of Seneca. Retrieved April 4, 2011, from Ancient History Sourcebook: http://www.fordham.edu/HALSALL/ancient/tacitus-ann15a.html