Cato, a Tragedy

“The great, the important day, big with the fate

Of Cato and of Rome—Our father’s death

Would fill up all the guilt of civil war,

And close the scene of blood. Already Caesar

Has ravaged more than half the globe, and sees

Mankind grown thin by his destructive sword:

Should he go farther, numbers would be wanting

To form new battles, and support his crimes.

Ye gods, what havoc does ambition make

Among your works!” 

Portius’ speech (which he directs at Marcus) is the play’s first speech, and it introduces Caesar’s tyrannical reign and the current civil war, and foreshadows Cato’s death. The notion of ambition making “havoc” also ties into the play’s theme of putting virtue above ambition and personal gain.

“But what can Cato do

Against a world, a base, degenerate world,

That courts the yoke, and bows the neck to Caesar?

Pent up in Utica, he vainly forms

A poor epitome of Roman greatness,

And, cover’d with Numidian guards, directs

A feeble army, and an empty senate,

Remnants of mighty battles fought in vain […]

Our father’s fortune

Would almost tempt us to renounce his precepts.” 

In the opening conversation, Marcus replies to Portius, introducing the current state of Cato and the senators, as they have fled to Utica with an “empty senate.” The quote shows Caesar’s success in driving out Cato, which foreshadows his victory at the play’s end, and introduces who Cato is, as he oversees the army and senate. This description also suggests how Cato has put virtue above his own success and well-being, resulting in a “poor fortune” that makes his sons wonder if Cato’s adherence to his beliefs is worth it.

“Cato has used me ill; he has refused

His daughter Marcia to my ardent vows.

Besides, his baffled arms, and ruin’d cause,

Are bars to my ambition. Caesar’s favour,

That show’rs down greatness on his friends, will raise me

To Rome’s first honours. If I give up Cato,

I claim, in my reward, his captive daughter.” 

Sempronius delivers this soliloquy after talking with Portius. The words reveal the ambition and intentions that drive his actions throughout the play, as Sempronius scorns Cato in pursuit of Marcia’s hand. The speech also introduces Sempronius as a villain: he means to take