Nathan the Wise Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim, 1729-1781

One of the most frequently performed and widely read comedies of the eighteenth century, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's "Nathan the Wise" (1779) combines rich characterization with an engaging plot. Set in Muslim-ruled Jerusalem at the time of the Crusades, it deals with universal themes -- including the nature of God, antisemitism, wealth and poverty, and the conflict between love and duty. Today the play is as timely as ever. This edition, the first English version expressly intended for undergraduates, contains an insightful introduction that discusses the play, Lessing and the Enlightenment, and the situation of Jews in eighteenth-century Europe. Additionally, there are five related historical documents -- each with a context-setting headnote -- illustrations, a chronology, questions for consideration, and a selected bibliography.Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim is the author of 'Nathan the Wise Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim, 1729-1781 ', published 2004 under ISBN 9780312442439 and ISBN 0312442432.