Nathan the Wise (Bedford Series in History & Culture) [Paperback]

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (Author), Ronald Schechter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0312442432 | ISBN-13: 978-0312442439

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 Additionally, there are five related historical documents -- each with a context-setting headnote -- illustrations, a chronology, questions for consideration, and a selected bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'An engrossing revival of a serious classic' Daily Mail 'New prose translation by Edward Kemp, lucid, colloquial and witty' The Times. 'Edward Kemp's terrific translation balances German gravitas with a comic deftness' FT 'A striking... mix of ethical preaching and comedy - with notable echoes of The Merchant of Venice... this multicultural tale is certainly relevant to our time' Independent on Sunday." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 171 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312442432
• ISBN-13: 978-0312442439
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtfull, touching, entertaining, classical literature, March 15, 2000

By 

"coldstarr" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nathan the Wise. (Paperback)

I first read this book (actually it is a play) in highschool and though I generally hated to be forced to read a book I really loved this one. I finished way ahead of schedule.

The reason: this book is extremely very well and has an up-to-date message even though it was written several 100 years back. The story is abou a Jewish merchant called Nathan, a templar and Nathan's daughter and the love between the templar and the daughter and the conflicts arising from it.

It is set in the time of the crusades and its message is: it does not matter which religion you believe in as long as you are a decent human being. This message was only written in a play because the author was officially forbidden from teaching his reconciliatory views on religion in university! It must have been a hardship for him, but today we can enjoy a literary masterpiece for just that reason. For me it is a perfect book and it might very well be the same for you.

1.0 out of 5 stars A Great Original Story--NOT a Good Play, November 9, 2011

By 

Shakespearemom (Bainbridge, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nathan the Wise (Paperback)

I admit that I bought this play because one of the original sources of it--a short story--really made an impression on me. I'd considered writing a modern version of it, and then I found a play version already written, and jumped at purchasing it.

I'm a playwright, too, so reading plays is something I do a LOT. The format was not the problem.

The play, at least for me, was neither moving nor meaningful. The story was lost in strangeness and confusion, and I read through entire scenes several times over, trying to figure out how the arc of the play was served. By the end, the characters seemed no less stilted than at the beginning, and I was utterly disappointed in how the elements were treated. I can only hope that this is not the last time this story is created... it deserves a far better rendition.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conflict between religion and tolerance: Reality or myth, June 19, 2009

By 

Rajeet Guha "Bookstore Cormorant" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nathan The Wise (Paperback)

Lessing played a pivotal role in the German Enlightenment. Lessing's play "Nathan the Wise" is as relevant, if not more so, in the post 9/11 world of the 21st century as it was in the late 18th century when it was written. No single group has a monopoly over religious beliefs and practices. Every individual has the right to exercise freedom over whatever religion he or she chooses to follow. "All religions lead to the same God through different paths" according to the Indian divine and mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa who practiced all religions. No religion can claim to know the absolute truth.

The belief of knowing the absolute truth has been the starting point of all religious violence that has been witnessed through the ages, even to the present day. Thinking of one religion's as superior to others and holding prejudices towards other religions has led to riots and religious holocausts. The false notion of thinking of the other religions as antagonistic to others has been the root of religious fundamentalism. Making generalizations about people from a specific religion as evil or moral or superior is a folly. Every religion has its share of adherents who not only fall into extreme shades of black and white but can also be classified within intermediary shades of grey. Devouts and fanatics are in every religion though most people fall in between these two categories. In today's world the stakes are too high for religious bigotry and belligerence.

In a world armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons, religious chauvinism can lead to the decimation of all of humanity, no matter what religion they follow. Religious jingoism has to be struck at its roots before the monster devours the whole of humanity. It is also important to remember that religious riots and violence are often triggered by petty and avaricious politicians and leaders for their own vested interests while the gullible public fall prey to such predatory and vicious political marketing of hypocritical and immoral ideals. It is necessary to have a balanced view of religion and not look at other religions with a jaundiced view.