Tuesday, July 8, 2014

In the play Julius Caesar, who is Cato?

Cato is the son of the great Marcus Cato, the brother of Portia and the the brother-in-law of Brutus. In the play he is also a solider in the army of Brutus and Cassius. He has a very short role in the play as he dies fighting for what he believes is honorable at the battle of Philippi. He says these words, which shows his heroic temper: 



"What bastard doth not? Who will go with me? I will proclaim my name about the field: I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!"



When he dies, Lucilius says:



"O young and noble Cato, art thou down? Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius; And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son."



Like Brutus, Cato is portrayed as honorable, heroic, and tragic. He fights to the end believing that he is doing what is best for Rome. Even if he is wrong, he cannot help but be honored. 

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