On the Shortness of Life

Seneca wrote a book called "On the Shortness of Life." In 41 C.E. he was exiled in Corsica. And exiled person should feel two things: 1. Shame (towards himself and his family) and 2. Fear for his life, and fear for his family.

Now in this book, he writes a letter to his mother. He writes to her because he is worried that she is worried about him. He writes about how she might have arguments against exile, and and he tries to respond to all of them. Two examples would be that she could say how it is unbearable to be deprived of one's country. To this he would say that there are more foreigners than natives living in the empire, and that everthing is in motion. (Why is there anything bad about somebody moving to a new place?) She could then say that an exile would miss his clothes and his house. Well to this, he simply says that the human body needs as little coverings as he needs food. It's simplicity to the fullest. (No pun intended)

This book can make somebody feel very sympathetic for him. And when they find out how he really lived, then they can get pissed off. This man lived nothing like he did in the book. He is technically a hypocrite.

I thought this book was sort of bland, and kind of boring. I am glad we did not have to focus on it that much!