Cato, a Tragedy

Set against the backdrop of ancient Rome, the play explores the struggle between individual liberty and governmental tyranny through the character of Cato the Younger, a Stoic philosopher. Themes of republicanism versus monarchy, reason versus passion, and Cato's moral resolve in the face of death are central to the narrative. With a prologue by Alexander Pope and an epilogue by Samuel Garth, the play gained significant popularity, especially in the American colonies, influencing the ideals of the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution.