Political Theology in George Buchanan’s Baptistes

Abstract

‘The tragedies of Buchanan,’ noted Philip Sidney in his Apology for Poetry (c. 1579; printed 1595) ‘do justly bring forth a divine admiration’ (Sidney, 2002, 113). As a glance at the multitude of editions in which Buchanan’s plays and poetry appeared both during and long after his lifetime confirms, Sidney’s regard was normative rather than exceptional (see McFarlane, 1981, 490–518; Durkan, 1994). It is my argument that the interest Buchanan’s drama sustained within the period deserves reconsideration. In particular, this essay will emphasise the prescience of his scriptural tragedy on the last days of John the Baptist, Baptistes (c. 1539–43; printed 1577). This neglected work represents a key contribution to early modern tragic theatre and its political concerns anticipate crucial elements of subsequent achievements in this genre.