Nathan der Weise. Ein dramatisches Gedicht in fünf Aufzügen

LESSING, GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM

Voss)

(Berlin

1779

FIRST EDITION. The Erich Wronker Copy

Goedeke IV/1,451

FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE with ‘reichre’ on p.95 line 11 and p.123 mispaginated. One of the outstanding representatives of the Enlightenment in Germany, Lessing was devoted to the principle of toleration. Nathan der Weise was Lessing’s last drama, and was inspired by his friendship with Moses Mendelssohn. Based on the parable of the three rings adapted from Boccaccio’s Decameron, the play presents Judaism, Christianity and Islam as the three sons of a benevolent father who has given each an identical ring, although each one claims that his ring alone is authentic. Nathan is made the spokesman for the aspirations of the Enlightenment: tolerance, brotherhood and love of humanity. See A. Altmann, Moses Mendelssohn-A Biographical Study (1973) pp.569-80