Prologue to Addison's Tragedy of Cato

Explore 1 quote from Prologue to Addison's Tragedy of Cato

To wake the soul by tender strokes of art,
To raise the genius, and to mend the heart;
To make mankind, in conscious virtue bold,
Live o'er each scene, and be what they behold:
For this the tragic Muse first trod the stage.

Alexander Pope

More information about this quote

Topic

Purpose of art Power of art Art

Author

Alexander Pope

Source

Prologue to Addison's Tragedy of Cato Cato

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1713 1710s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Pope, Alexander. "Prologue to Addison's Cato." Cato, written by Joseph Addison. 14 Apr. 1713, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, UK, I. 1-5.

Current Citation

Pope, Alexander. "Prologue to Mr. Addison's Tragedy of Cato." Pope: Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets Series). Everyman's Library, 2018, I. 1-5.