Beginning of Essay
Continually present in Gotthold Lessing’s play, , is the pursuit for truth. In particular, a truth that goes beyond religion, one that reaches to the depths of humanity: human nature’s freedom. In his play, Lessing reveals the freedom of human nature among ma ....

Middle of Essay
.... insults, “Permit what, Jew?” (211). The Templar’s refusal, although harsh, seemed to affirm the goodness Nathan saw in the young man, “A modest greatness would hide behind the monstrous, merely to escape admiration” (212). The lengths the Templar went to in order to save a life is a testament in itself of his goodness, far more powerful than his insults, "I find it strange that such an ugly spot [on Templar’s robe], soiled by the fire, bears better witness than a man’s own lips” (212). For Nathan, friends do not concern themselves with social status, religious beliefs, or titles; but rather, they can distinguish between th ....