Cato, a Tragedy

Julius Caesar is often referenced in Cato, though he is never seen. What do you learn about Caesar and his reign as emperor through the play?

Contrast the play’s “good” characters of Cato, Portius, and Juba against the “villains” Sempronius and Syphax. What does Addison reveal about the key themes of honor and virtue through these groups?

Examine Cato’s death. Why did he feel he had to commit suicide, and what does this reveal about Cato and his broader character? What point does the play make through his death that wouldn’t be made had he remained alive?

American politicians embraced Cato when it debuted in the 1700s. Analyze the play’s themes and consider if and how they would resonate with contemporary audiences and politicians. What message does Cato offer 21st-century America that still rings true?

Consider the role that women play in Cato. Are Marcia and Lucia treated merely as romantic objects, or do they serve a more complex function in the play? How do the women contribute to the play’s larger themes?

Analyze the family dynamics between Cato, Portius, Marcus, and Marcia. How does the family reconcile their emphasis placed on honor with their own relationships? How does their family dynamic reflect the broader themes of the piece?

Analyze the debate in Act II between Cato, Lucius, and Sempronius about whether or not the group should fight back against Caesar—and later, Decius’s discussion with Cato about Caesar’s offer. What arguments are made about honor, war, and liberty, and how does this argument reflect the play’s broader themes and trajectory?

Cato is described as a Stoic,” referencing the philosophy of Stoicism popular at the time. What can you learn about that philosophy and way of thinking through Cato the play and Cato the character?