Books · 1712
Thy steady temper, Portius, Can look on guilt, rebellion, fraud, and Cæsar, In the calm lights of mild philosophy.
— Joseph Addison · Cato
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
Marcus praises Portius’s ability to look calmly at guilt, rebellion, fraud and Caesar through philosophy, while Marcus feels much more agitated. Composure here is a way of facing political horror, not an approval of it.
- Addison, Cato (1823 prompt-book edition)Act I, scene IReference checked
Context reviewed