Alphabet : {a, b}
Language : Set of all strings which start and end with same symbol
Doubt : Can $\epsilon$ be considered as part of the language ?
Edit: I can see several people have answered my question in the comments. Perhaps I should have mentioned that I need an explanation for it.
The reason I think $\epsilon$ should NOT be part of the language is that it begins and ends with $\epsilon$, which is not a symbol of the given alphabet. Moreover if we do consider strings starting and ending with empty string, then even "ab" could be thought of as starting and ending with an empty string, because any number of empty strings could be assumed to be present at the beginning and end of "ab" or even between a and b.
If you disagree with me please give some explanation.