Severian The Stoic

Before that discussion slips too far into the past, Severian is a good Stoic, or presents himself as one. For example, when he is taken prisoner on the grounds of the House Absolute, his hands are bound and a soldier put a noose around his neck for a lead. He then tells us that he and the soldier played one of those little games we play, where he pretended that the soldier was making him walk in various directions, when actually he was doing this of his own free will. In other words, at any time, he could have stopped cooperating. He had a choice. The noose is a harsh appearance, what he does in response to it is up to him. This may have involved being killed or beaten, but that is not one of the things under his control. He has free will in regards as to whether he follows the lead or not. .