Original artwork, not a still
Cato · 1712
Thy steady temper, Portius, Can look on guilt, rebellion, fraud, and Cæsar, In the calm lights of mild philosophy.
Behind the line
What it means
Our 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.
Sources (1)
- Addison, Cato (1823 prompt-book edition)Act I, scene IReference checked
Context reviewed
