Nathan the Wise (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
- First Published: 1779
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Philosophical
- Time of Work: Twelfth century
- Setting: Jerusalem
- Genres: Drama, Verse drama
- Subjects: Freedom, Religion, Jews or Jewish life, Enlightenment, Middle Ages, Jerusalem, Merchants, Toleration, Crusades, Twelfth century
- Locales: Jerusalem
Characters Discussed
Nathan, a Jewish merchant and sage who suffers the loss of his family and fortune during the Third Crusade. As a tragic hero, he always repays evil with good, as he does when he adopts an orphan girl immediately after losing his own family. Although he seems more Christian than Jew—indeed, he acts the part of Christ in his devotion and wisdom—he is really a humanitarian who believes there are many ways either to enter heaven or to establish heaven on Earth. Self-reliant, generous, fearless, and tolerant, he serves as a contrast to the wily Christians...
[The entire page is 910 words long]
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