Acting Your Role in Life: Should Anders embrace his role or ask for a different part?

By EpictetusCharacter Development2 min readGrade 9.3
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

A student is assigned a difficult role in a school play. Instead of complaining, they decide to embrace the challenge and perform their best, understanding that every role is important.

The Choice

Should Anders embrace his role or ask for a different part?

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 6-8
Reading Level
Level 9.343063460085627
Word Count
361 words
Published
Mar 23, 2026

The Dilemma

Anders and Eun-Kyung are in the school play. Anders is cast in a role he finds challenging and uninteresting. He dreams of playing the hero but is given the part of a tree who only has a few lines. Eun-Kyung, his friend, encourages him to embrace the role, reminding him that every part is crucial for the play's success. As rehearsals progress, Anders notices how his role, though small, adds to the atmosphere and helps the main actors shine. However, he feels the pressure to ask the teacher for a different role, fearing he might not perform well. Eun-Kyung suggests that by doing his best, he might discover unexpected talents and contribute uniquely to the play. Anders now faces a choice: (A) Embrace his role and perform it with dedication, or (B) Ask the teacher for a different part, seeking a role he finds more exciting.

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Responsibility
vs
Autonomy

Consider how these values might conflict or complement each other in this situation.

Your Options

A

Embrace his role with dedication

B

Ask for a different part

Questions for Reflection

Take a moment to consider these questions. There are no "right" answers – the goal is to explore different perspectives and develop your own reasoning.

  1. 1

    What would you do, and why?

  2. 2

    How does 'Acting Your Role in Life' apply here?

  3. 3

    What are the consequences of each choice?

  4. 4

    How might Epictetus advise Anders here?

  5. 5

    Think about a time you had a role you didn’t choose. Turn & tell: What would our class consider the proper action here, and why?

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Philosophical Perspective

Insights from Epictetus

Take a moment to form your own thoughts first, then click to explore philosophical perspectives.

Related Topics

responsibility
peer-pressure
self-awareness
Portrait of Epictetus

Epictetusc. 50-c. 135

Epictetus (c. 50 – c. 135 AD) was a prominent Stoic philosopher who began life as a slave in Phrygia. After gaining freedom, he taught philosophy in Rome and later established a renowned school in Nicopolis. Though he wrote nothing, his teachings, recorded …

Stoicism
The Dichotomy of Control (what is in our power vs. what is not)
Prohairesis (Moral Choice/Volition) and the Correct Use of Impressions
Explore how Epictetus informs this dilemma and discover additional ethical puzzles shaped by their ideas.
Learn more about Epictetus or continue exploring dilemmas inspired by their philosophy.

Lesson Plans

Quick Fire5 min

Acting Your Role in Life — 5-10 minutes

Learning objectives:

  • -Identify the core ethical tension
  • -Make a quick, reasoned choice

Discussion prompts:

  • 1.Which option did you choose, and why?
  • 2.What would you give up with each choice?
participation
Standard15 min

Acting Your Role in Life — 15-20 minutes

Learning objectives:

  • -Identify competing values
  • -Articulate trade-offs

Discussion prompts:

  • 1.What would you lose by choosing each option?
  • 2.Is there a third path?
participation