Ciceros De Amicitia Essay -- Friendship Death Love Essays

Ciceros De AmicitiaCiceros De Amicitia brings a unique perspective to the topic of k presentlyledge and how it relates to death. The word amicitia comes from the Latin root word amor which is translated to mean love. In this day and age the word companionship has taken on a slightly different meaning from the ancient meaning. Ciceros De Amicitia seeks to define what friendship is, its characteristics and principles. He has challenged us to reconsider what constitutes a on-key friend.Upon observing a typical friendship it becomes clear to us that this kindred is actually complimentary of true love the love in which Cicero speaks of. A genuine friendship is a rare and beautiful thing a mutual relationship formed between two virtuous people of the same wind up in which both individuals love the other as oftentimes if not more than themselves. In the face of a true friend a man sees as it were a second self. To love another soul as much as you love yourself, to give without the e xpectation of receiving something in return is indeed an amazing concept. It is sometimes hard to comprehend its universe in this world where friendship is more for utility serve for grouchy ends - riches for use, power for securing homage, office for reputation, pleasure for enjoyment, health for freedom from injure and the full use of the functions of the body. But friendship embraces innumerable returns. The structural derriere upon which a friendship is built is a key determining divisor concerning the quality, life and longevity of a friendship. When this foundation is weak and built on the selfish desires of those individuals, that friendship is ultimately put to the test. A utility base friendship is impermanent giving way to the changing circumstances it faces oer time as Cicero stated For if it were true that its material advantages cemented friendship, it would be equally true that any change in them would dissolve it. It does not commit the qualities to endure an d will fail to thrive in the face of much(prenominal) trials and tribulations as conflicting interest differences of opinion in politics grass changes in character, owing sometimes to misfortunes, sometimes to advancing years. In this slip of friendship the individual takes pleasure in each others company only in so far they have hopes of gaining an advantage from it. For Cicero, true friendship can only be achie... ...h act. I am disposed to think, therefore, that in his case mourning would be a crisscross of envy rather than of friendship. If, however, the truth rather is that the body and soul go by together, and that no sensation remains, then though there is nothing expert in death, at least there is nothing bad. This statement shows a certain level of jealousy for you envy the freedom your friend has now achieved in death whereas you are still encased in your serviceman form, your soul trapped and yearning for knowledge and wisdom. Feelings of joy would wash over the surviving friend if indeed their friendship were true. Feeling joyful that this soulfulness he has loved with all his heart and soul has moved on to a beautiful place, free from the human condition. Reading Ciceros give has helped validate that which I have always felt to be true not just of friendship but of death. I conclude with a passage in which Cicero touches on the purpose of forming friendships For it is not so much what one gets by a friend that gives one pleasure, as the intensity of his feeling. One day I hope to understand through first gear hand experience rather than just through speculation and dissection of Ciceros writing.