Books by Judith P. Aikin

Scaramuzza, Scaramouche: the commedia dell''arte figure made a triumphal entry into German literature in the plays of Caspar Stieler (1632-1707). Transformed into a master of language and languages, Scaramutza - social critic, voluptuary, and mouthpiece for his author - ushers in a new type of comedy that depends more on the happy ending than on laughter for its effect. This study should both establish the significance of the long-neglected dramatic works of Caspar Stieler, already regarded as an important lyric poet of the German Baroque, and serve to initiate a reevaluation of German comedy and of the standard definition of the comic genre used by Germanists as Aikin explores the heroic or romantic comedy as a subgenre of literary merit. The study includes a discussion of Stieler''s important contributions to the development of the German-language Singspiel and opera.

In exploring the exceptionally well-documented activities of Aemilia Juliana of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (1637-1706), this study confirms and expands on recent attempts to characterize the roles played by the wives of rulers in the many small principalities of early modern Germany. Judith Aikin analyzes a wide range of texts and cultural artifacts in order to disclose the scope of the contributions of this ruler¿s consort as full partner in the ruling couple.