Cato. A tragedy

Written by Joseph Addison in 1712 and first performed in 1713, 'Cato, a Tragedy' is a play that dramatizes the final days of Cato the Younger, a Stoic who resisted the tyranny of Julius Caesar.

The play delves into themes such as individual liberty versus government tyranny, republicanism versus monarchism, and the personal struggle to maintain one's beliefs in the face of death.

It features a prologue by Alexander Pope and an epilogue by Samuel Garth.

The play was highly influential, especially in the American colonies, and is considered a literary inspiration for the American Revolution.

It highlights the conflict between virtue and passion, with Cato's unwavering commitment to liberty and republicanism serving as a central theme.