The Poetry of Stoicism in Seneca's Troades at Wilton Library Beginning March 9

Anyone who has not read or experienced the tragedies of Seneca will be pleasantly surprised at the power of their poetry and dramatic quality - even in good, contemporary English translations. The Troades (Trojan Women) in particular merits study today not only for its literary genius but also because of its relevance for our time. The lessons this play has to offer are worth our serious reflection.

 

This course will take participants through the chaos, cruelty, and dissolution of Homer's world as well as the Stoic interpretation of Seneca's own. The destruction of Troy and its aftermath symbolizes every city, nation or individual that has suffered cruelty, violence,  conquest, exile or loss of self-identity. As Hecuba exclaims in the play [Slavitt's transl.]: 'Whatever terrible news you bring is mine. / Each feels the weight of her particular woe, / but I feel all.  For me, the whole world dies, / groan by groan, and always wounding me.'

Dr. Gerald Weiss earned both a B.A and an M.A. in Classical Languages from St. Louis University. He pursued graduate studies in Philosophy and Theology at Innsbruck University (Austria) and later at the Gregorian University (Rome  Italy) where he received his Ph.D. While writing his dissertation he taught for a year at the Rome Center of Loyola University of Chicago. Upon returning to the States he taught Philosophy/Theology/Religious Studies at various universities. He has had one book published and written numerous articles for educational  religious  and spiritual periodicals and journals. Since retiring he has devoted most of his free time to painting and has exhibited some of his works at the Wilton Library.