Nathan the Wise

Nathan’s wisdom gives Lessing’s play its name, but the depth of that wisdom is only revealed over the course of the entire play. In the opening scenes, Nathan is characterized as a figure whose wisdom has led him to be highly regarded by his peers as well as successful in business. In fact, before meeting Nathan, the Templar remarks, “Perhaps to people of his race / Wise and rich mean just the same” (45). The Templar’s crude remark alludes to an ancient stereotype connecting Jews to money. The true depth of Nathan’s wisdom has nothing to do with his wealth, however, but rather is shown in his patience and careful thinking when navigating difficult situations. The most significant of these situations is when Saladin asks him which religion is best; instead of giving a direct answer, Nathan skillfully responds with the story of the priceless ring, a parable that explains the importance of what religions seek rather than the importance of any religion itself.

Nathan’s wisdom leads him to be tolerant of others and other religions, including the Christian Templar, the Muslim Saladin, and others. Thus, he represents one of the play’s key themes. However, Nathan is not without conflicts.