In the above video Stories of Old looks at The Shawshank Redemption through the perspective of Stoicism.
If you’re not familiar with Stoicism; it’s a school of thought that originated from ancient Greece’s Hellenistic period which would be further developed during Roman Imperial times.
It can be seen as a way of life with a focus on virtue and how to find meaning in one’s life. And in the case of the above video how this can be lived in the harshest of conditions as seen through what the 1994 film’s characters endure in Shawshank State Penitentiary.
Much of the video explains Stoicism through quotes from the likes of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca, and Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus etc.
“The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not,” is a quote from Seneca featured.
For more on Stoicism by Stories of Old watch the video below which focusses on Ridley Scott’s film Gladiator.