TNTL 116/1

Y. van Vugt en J. Waszink

Politiek in Hoofts Baeto: De middenweg als uitweg?

Abstract - This article analyses the political content of the drama Baeto by P.C. Hooft in the context of Hooft’s time. Thus far, most of the secondary literature has interpreted Baeto as an expression of either more monarchical or more ‘aristocratic’ political sympathies. This article examines both these sides of Baeto, and concludes that both political theories are crucial to the play. Therefore, we suggest that Hooft meant to propose a ‘middle road’ as a solution for the political problems of the Twelve Years Truce. This investigation also necessitates a closer look at the relationship between Baeto and the moral and political ideas of Justus Lipsius and, most importantly, a re-examination of the relationship between Baeto and Grotius’ De Antiquitate Reipublicae Batavicae.

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