Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–1781)
Author of Nathan the Wise
About the Author
Lessing, one of the outstanding literary critics of all time, was "the first figure of European stature in modern German literature." The son of a Protestant pastor, he was educated in Meissen and at Leipzig University, then went to Berlin as a journalist in 1749. While employed as secretary to show more General Tauentzien (1760--65), he devoted his leisure to classical studies. This led to his critical essay Laocoon (1776), in which he attempted to clarify certain laws of aesthetic perception by comparing poetry and the visual arts. He fought always for truth and combined a penetrating intellect with shrewd common sense. He furthered the German theater through his weekly dramatic notes and theories, found mainly in the Hamburg Dramaturgy (1769), which he wrote during his connection with the Hamburg National Theater as critic and dramatist (1768--69). His plays include Miss Sara Sampson (1755), important as the first German prose tragedy of middle-class life; Minna von Barnhelm (1767), his finest comedy and the best of the era; and his noble plea for religious tolerance, Nathan the Wise (1779). (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Anton Graff (1771)
Series
Works by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Lessing's Theological Writings: Selections in Translation (Library of Modern Religious Thought) (1957) — Author — 101 copies
EinFach Deutsch : Textausgaben : Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Nathan der Weise [2nd edition] (1998) — Text — 31 copies
The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise (2001) — Author — 14 copies
Reclam XL : Text und Kontext : G. E. Lessing : Nathan der Weise [2021] (2021) — Playwright — 9 copies
Litteraturens klassiker i urval och översättning. 11, Tysk dramatik : Lessing och Schiller (1981) — Author — 9 copies
Lessings Werke in einem Band 6 copies
Fabeln. Drei Bücher 6 copies
Lessings Werke Band 2.: Schriften 1: Schriften zur Poetik; Dramaturgie; Literaturkritik. Erl. von Bodo Lecke. (1967) 5 copies
Lessing. Werke. Bd. 2: Kritische Schriften : Literaturbriefe, Laokoon, Hamburgische Dramaturgie, Kleine Schriften (1957) 5 copies
EinFach Deutsch : Textausgaben : Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Emilia Galotti [2nd edition] (1998) — Text — 4 copies
Minna von Barnhelm / Hamburgische Dramaturgie (Deutscher Klassiker Verlag im Taschenbuch) (2010) — Author — 4 copies
Lessing Minna Von Barnhelm Hambuergische Dramaturgie Werke 1767-1769: Band 6: Werke 1767-1769 (1985) — Author — 4 copies
Gesammelte Werke. Bd. 2 4 copies
Lessings Werke 3 [...] 3 copies
G. E. Lessings gesammelte Werke 3 copies
Fabeln und Erzählungen in Versen : Emilia Galotti + Fabeln + Minna von Barnhelm + Miß Sara Sampson + Nathan der Weise (2006) 3 copies
Lessings Werke 1 [...] 3 copies
Klassiker auf CD-Rom : G.E. Lessing : Nathan der Weise [sound recording + commentary] (1999) — Text — 3 copies
Gedichte und Fabeln 3 copies
Philotas: (Übersetzungsband). With Preface, Selected Bibliography and Chronology (1979) — Author — 3 copies
Fragments From Reimarus: Consisting of Brief Critical Remarks on the Object of Jesus and his Disciples as Seen in the New Testament (2014) 3 copies
Trauerspiele 3 copies
Sämtliche Gedichte und Fabeln - Aus der Serie: Deutsche Klassiker - Bibliothek der literarischen Meisterwerke (1900) 3 copies
Lustspiele 2 copies
Избранное 2 copies
Filosofía — Author — 2 copies
Gotthold Ephraim Lessings Fabeln : Drey Bücher ; Nebst Abhandlungen mit dieser Dichtungsart verwandten Inhalts. Zweyte Auflage. (2018) 2 copies
Die Ehre hat mich nie gesucht: Lessing in Berlin : Gedichte, Briefe, kritische Schriften, Stücke 2 copies
Estética — Author — 2 copies
Lessings Werke: Dritter Band 2 copies
Teatro 2 copies
RELIGIONE STORIA E SOCIETA' 2 copies
Gesammelte Werke in drei Bänden. Band 2: Gedichte, Fabeln, Schriften zur Literatur und zum Theater. 2 copies
Lessing : Werke in fünf Bänden : Band 1 : Miss Sara Sampson + Philotas + Minna von Barnhelm + Emilia Galotti (1965) 2 copies
Bibliothek deutscher Klassiker, Band 3: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Werke in drei Bänden, Zweiter Band 2 copies
EinFach Deutsch : Textausgaben : Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Emilia Galotti [1st edition] (1998) — Text — 2 copies
Lessing - Werke (selections) 2 copies
Lessing : Werke in fünf Bänden : Band 2 : Nathan der Weise + Theologische und philosophische Schriften (1965) 2 copies
Theaterstücke. Fabeln 2 copies
Werke. Bd. 2. Schriften 1 2 copies
Bibliothek deutscher Klassiker, Band 4,Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Werke in 3 Bänden, Dritter Band 2 copies
Werke, Bd. 1/2 2 copies
Briefe 2 copies
Bibliothek deutscher Klassiker Band 2: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Werke in 3 Bänden, Erster Band 2 copies
Der Rangstreit der Tiere. 2 copies
Gedichte und Dramen 1 copy
Dramas — Author — 1 copy
Lessing 1 copy
Escritos filosóficos y teológicos — Author — 1 copy
Nathan der Weise [sound recording] — Playwright — 1 copy
Драмы ; Басни в прозе 1 copy
Gedichte und Fabeln 1 copy
Lessings Werke 5 [...] 1 copy
Teorías dramáticas — Author — 1 copy
The Laocoon 1 copy
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Werke in drei Bänden als kommentierte Winkler Dünndruck Ausgabe Band I: Dichtungen - Dramen / Fabeln und Erzählungen / Sinngedichte / Epigramme /… (1974) — Author — 1 copy
Meister-Dramen 1 copy
Dramatic Works. Translated from the German. Edited by Ernest Bell, with a Short Memoir by Helen Zimmern Volume 2 (2013) 1 copy
TEATRO 1 copy
Jugend-Dramen 1 copy
Lessings Werke 4 [...] 1 copy
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Werke in drei Bänden als kommentierte Winkler Dünndruck Ausgabe Band III: Vermischte Schriften zu Theologie und Philosophie / Zur Literatur /… (1972) — Author — 1 copy
Lessings Werke. 4, Briefe, die neueste Literatur betreffend. Laokoon — Author — 1 copy
Lessings Werke Bd. 2 Dramen 1 copy
Lessing, Gotthold E. Werke: 1: GEDICHTE FABELN DRAMEN, 2: SCHRIFTEN 1, LESSING 3: SCHIFTEN 2. (1967) 1 copy
Nathan der Weise. Ein dramatisches Gedicht in fnf Aufzgen. Mit Anmerkungen von Peter von Dffel. 1 copy
Hamburger Lesehefte plus Königs Materialien : Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Emilia Galotti (2020) — Text — 1 copy
Theological Writings 1 copy
Die Aber kosten Überlegung 1 copy
Auswahl Band 1-3 1 copy
Dichtungen. Kritiken. Briefe 1 copy
Laocoonte 1 copy
Selected Prose Works 1 copy
1729 - 1979 1 copy
Fables and Tales 1 copy
Le favole in prosa 1 copy
Nathan der Weise von Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (Textausgabe): Hamburger Lesehefte Plus Königs Materialien (2019) 1 copy
Lessings Werke in fünf Bänden 1 Miß Sara Sampson. Philotas. Minna von Barnhelm. Emilia Galotti 1 copy
Lessing 1 copy
The Dramatic Works of G.E. Lessing: Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise (2016) 1 copy
MAESTRI LAOCOONTE 1 copy
Minna von Barnhelm oder das Soldatenglück ein Lustspiel in 5 Aufzügen ; verfertiget im Jahre 1763 1 copy
Nathan the wise. A philosophical drama. From the German of G.E. Lessing, ... translated into English by R.E. Raspe. (2010) 1 copy
Lessings Werke. 5/6 1 copy
Lessing - Ausgewählte Werke 1 copy
Fabloj de Lessing 1 copy
Lessings Werke: Vierter Band 1 copy
Dramatische Meisterwerke 1 copy
Hry, básně, bajky, epigramy 1 copy
Aus Lessings Fabeln 1 copy
Lessing: Werke 6. Minna von Barnhelm/ Hamburgische Dramaturgie/ Wie die alten Den Tod gebildet. Werke 1767-1769. (1985) 1 copy
Lessings Werke. Fünfter Band 1 copy
Lessings Werke Bd. 6 [...] 1 copy
Eine Duplik 1 copy
Axiomata, wenn es deren in dergleichen Dingen giebt : Wider den Herrn Pastor Goeze, in Hamburg 1 copy
Briefe und Abhandlungen 1 copy
Werke, Bd. 3 1 copy
Philotas - Programm 1 copy
Lessings Werke: Zweiter Band 1 copy
Werke, Bd. 6 1 copy
Lessings Werke - Kritisch durchgesehene und erläuterte Ausgabe (7 Bände) (Meyers Klassiker Ausgaben) 1 copy
Frühe kritische Schriften 1 copy
Dramaturgische Schriften 1 copy
Lessings Werke: Sehnter Band 1 copy
Theatralischer Nachlass 1 copy
Werke. Bd. 2. Dramen 1 copy
Werke in zwei Bänden. 2 Bände. Band I: Dichtungen. - Band II: Kritische und philosophische Schriften. (1969) 1 copy
Anti-Goeze — Author — 1 copy
Werke in 8 Bänden. Band 1: Gedichte | Fabeln | Lusspiele (Die Juden, Minna von Barnhelm) (1973) 1 copy
Lessings Werke Band XII 1 copy
Lessings Werke Band X 1 copy
Lessings Werke Band IX 1 copy
Lessings Werke Band VIII 1 copy
Lessings Werke Band IV 1 copy
Lessings Werke Band II 1 copy
Lessings Werke. Bind 1-6 i 3 bind — Author — 1 copy
Lessings Werke Band III 1 copy
Lessings Werke Band I 1 copy
Theatralische Bibliothek 1 copy
Recensionen. Selbständige Schriften: aus: Deutsche National-Litteratur : historisch-kritische Ausgabe, 87 = Bd. 63, Teil 6 (1974) 1 copy
Dramatischer Nachlaß 1 copy
Werke. Dramen und Kritik 1 copy
Riabilitazione di Orazio 1 copy
Gotthold Ephraim Lessings Sammtliche Schriften, Vol. 8 (Classic Reprint) (Latin Edition) (2017) 1 copy
Gotthold Ephraim Lessings Samtliche Schriften, Vol. 22: Erster Teil (Classic Reprint) (German Edition) (2017) 1 copy
Gotthold Ephraim Lessings Sammtliche Schriften, Vol. 9 (Classic Reprint) (Latin Edition) (2017) 1 copy
Gotthold Ephraim Lessings Sammtliche Schriften, Vol. 1 (Classic Reprint) (German Edition) (2017) 1 copy
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's Sämmtliche Schriften, Vol. 7 (Classic Reprint) (German Edition) (2017) 1 copy
Gesamtausgabe- 2 bände — Author — 1 copy
Lessings sämmtliche lyrische, epische und dramatische Werke und seine vorzüglichen Prosaschriften 1 copy
Werke, Bd. 4 1 copy
Associated Works
Continental Drama: Calderon; Corneille; Racine; Molière; Lessing; Schiller (2004) — Composer — 251 copies
Neoclassicism and Romanticism, 1750-1850, Vol. 1: Enlightenment/Revolution (1970) — Contributor — 28 copies
Classical German drama : Lessing : Nathan the wise + Goethe : Egmont + Schiller : Mary Stuart + Kleist : The Prince of Homburg + Büchner : Danton's Death (1779) — Playwright — 24 copies
Oogst Der Tijden. keur uit de werken van schrijvers en dichters aller volken en eeuwen (1940) — Contributor — 12 copies
The Delphian Course : Part Seven : Story of the Drama, Nature Study — Contributor — 4 copies
The intellectual tradition of modern Germany : A collection of writings from the eighteenth to the twentieth century (1973) — Contributor — 3 copies
The intellectual tradition of modern Germany : A collection of writings from the eighteenth to the twentieth century : Volume 1 : Philosophy, religion and the arts (1973) — Contributor — 2 copies
Lebensgut — Ein deutsches Lesebuch für Mädchen — 5. Teil (9. Schuljahr) — Contributor — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim
- Birthdate
- 1729-01-22
- Date of death
- 1781-02-15
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Princes School St. Afra, Meissen, Saxony, Germany (1741)
University of Leipzig (theology, 1746)
Wittenberg University (medicine, 1748) (master of the seven liberal arts, 1752) - Occupations
- dramatist
art critic
writer
philosopher
publicist
librarian - Organizations
- Freimaurerloge Zu den drei Rosen
Königlich-Preußische Akademie der Wissenschaften - Relationships
- Lessing, Johann Gottfried (father)
Naumann, Christian Nicolaus (friend)
Mendelssohn, Moses (friend) - Nationality
- Germany
- Birthplace
- Kamenz, Upper Lusatia, Kingdom of Saxony
- Places of residence
- Kamenz, Upper Lusatia, Saxony, Germany
Braunschweig, Braunschweig-Lüneburg, Germany
Berlin, Germany - Place of death
- Braunschweig, Braunschweig-Lüneburg, Duchy of Braunschweig
- Burial location
- Magnifriedhof, Brunswick, Germany
- Associated Place (for map)
- Germany
Members
Reviews
The fables in this collection by Lessing were educational—as is the nature of fables. I could have done without the lengthy dissection of the genre that followed the collection however. I’ve always compared such intellectual activities to the difference between watching a beautiful butterfly and killing a beautiful butterfly, cutting it up and looking at the parts under a microscope to learn more about it. I’d much rather watch it flying from flower to flower.
It’s also the reason I show more find it difficult to write a review of a work of literature. I’d rather limit my comments to “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it” and avoid trying to tell other people whether it’s “good” or not.
I enjoyed reading the 69 pages of fables. I didn’t enjoy reading the 83 pages of analysis. show less
It’s also the reason I show more find it difficult to write a review of a work of literature. I’d rather limit my comments to “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it” and avoid trying to tell other people whether it’s “good” or not.
I enjoyed reading the 69 pages of fables. I didn’t enjoy reading the 83 pages of analysis. show less
I've read enough of Tasso and Ariosto to see that ending coming. But I wasn't expecting to love the prose so much. Verbally, it was beautifully constructed. And, as a metaphor, it was lovely in this contentious culture that we live in. I highly recommend it.
Lessing's best play, and maybe the first soap opera out there, with a very diverse family having a happy humanist ending that defies intolerance, crusades, misogyny, and bad chess games.
Nathan der Weise (Nathan the Wise) [German English Bilingual Edition] - Paragraph by Paragraph Translation (German Edition) by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
It is difficult to summarize the plot of this play without making it sound like one of those airplane jokes where there are too few parachutes for the people on board. Nevertheless, it is a play about Jews, Muslims, and Christians in crusader times. More important, it's message about religious tolerance makes it a significant book to be read today - it shows the Jew and Muslim as demonstrating more tolerance and virtue than any of the Christian characters.
The E-book edition I read included show more both the German text and the English translation mixed together on the same page with the English somewhat greyed out. Although it would be possible to actually just read the German text, I found it difficult not to read the English text as well. This took away some of the drama of the story but added to the comprehension of what was being read. the English text also included some footnotes that were necessary to be able to understand the context of the events in the play. show less
The E-book edition I read included show more both the German text and the English translation mixed together on the same page with the English somewhat greyed out. Although it would be possible to actually just read the German text, I found it difficult not to read the English text as well. This took away some of the drama of the story but added to the comprehension of what was being read. the English text also included some footnotes that were necessary to be able to understand the context of the events in the play. show less
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- Works
- 486
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- 21
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- 4,845
- Popularity
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- Rating
- 3.6
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- ISBNs
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