The Enchiridion Ch. 17: Playing Your Assigned Role

Epictetus

Playing Your Assigned Role

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Summary

Remember, Epictetus says, that you are an actor in a drama of such sort as the Author chooses. If short, then in a short one; if long, then in a long one. Length is not yours to set.

The Author may cast you as poor man, cripple, ruler, or private citizen. See that you act it well. The list is not a ranking. Each part is a part.

Your business is to act well the given part. To choose it belongs to another. That split is the whole chapter: performance is yours; casting is not.

In this chapter: Terms Characters Key Quotes Modern Story

Why This Matters

Acting the Given Part

Resenting your casting steals the energy you need on stage. Epictetus says you are an actor in the Author's drama, short or long, poor or ruler, and your business is to act the given part well while choice belongs to another.

Before you complain about the role tonight, ask what acting it well would look like in the next scene.

Coming Up in Chapter 18

When the raven croaks unluckily, discriminate and say nothing is portended to you, your body, property, reputation, or children. The croak is not an order unless you treat the sound as a verdict on your life.

Lesson

What this chapter proves — the pattern beneath the scene

In this chapter, the lesson is A Lame Leg, a Free Will.

The card below names the pattern this chapter proves — carry it with you into Epictetus's handbook: the cup, the banquet, the added judgment, the two handles.

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A Lame Leg, a Free Will

You are an actor in a drama of such sort as the Author chooses. Short or long is not the audition. Poor man, cripple, ruler, private citizen: see that you act it well. This is your business. To choose the part belongs to another. Confusing the costume for the casting director is how a person spends a life rewriting a role that was never on offer.

Key Insight

Freedom here is not picking the play. It is refusing to phone in the scene you were actually handed.

“For this is your business—to act well the given part, but to choose it belongs to another.”

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Original text

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Chapter 17

Playing Your Assigned Role

Remember that you are an actor in a drama of such sort as the Author
chooses—if short, then in a short one; if long, then in a long one. If it
be his pleasure that you should enact a poor man, or a cripple, or a
ruler, or a private citizen, see that you act it well. For this is your
business—to act well the given part, but to choose it belongs to another.

Critical Thinking Exercise

10 minutes

Role Assessment Audit

List three major roles in your current life (parent, employee, caregiver, student, etc.). For each role, write down one thing you regularly complain about and one specific skill you could develop to excel within that exact situation. Notice where you've been fighting the casting instead of mastering the performance.

Consider:

•Focus on roles you actually have, not ones you wish you had
•Look for skills that would make you better at your current circumstances
•Consider how masters in similar situations have succeeded

Journaling Prompt

Write about a time when you stopped fighting a difficult situation and started working to excel within it. What changed about your experience? What skills did you develop that you wouldn't have gained otherwise?

Master this chapter. Complete your experience

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Epictetus

Playing Your Assigned Role

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0:00 / 0:00

0:00

Study guide

Summary

Remember, Epictetus says, that you are an actor in a drama of such sort as the Author chooses. If short, then in a short one; if long, then in a long one. Length is not yours to set.

The Author may cast you as poor man, cripple, ruler, or private citizen. See that you act it well. The list is not a ranking. Each part is a part.

Your business is to act well the given part. To choose it belongs to another. That split is the whole chapter: performance is yours; casting is not.

In this chapter: Terms Characters Key Quotes Modern Story