Addison writes this play detailing what occurred during the last few days of Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis' life. The contents of this play fall right in line with the American obsession with classical stories in the 19th century. Similar to so many other stories in American culture, there is a tyrannical leader and a rebellious man who stands up to him. Cato holds true to his beliefs all the way to the grave, he represents liberty and virtue to the people of Rome. He does not back down from Julius Caesar much the same way Americans are taught to fight back against oppression. This story centers around fighting for liberty, and America was founded on the concept of liberty for all. It has even inspired some American authors such as John Howard Payne who wrote
Brutus or the Fall of Tarquin and Jonas B. Phillips who wrote
Camillus or the Self-Exiled Patriot.
It's no coincidence, of course, that the play, even though it was written by an Englishman, was an enduring hit on the American stage all through the 18th century up to 1838. For some reason, though, 20th century Hollywood has been far less interested in the austere and principled Roman Cato. Modern movies have preferred to focus on degenerate and debauched Romans.
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