Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Name: Minna Von Barnhelm
Author: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

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Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–1781), a German Enlightenment philosopher, dramatist, and critic, profoundly influenced German literature through his theoretical writings and plays. His work Hamburg Dramaturgy introduced the term "dramaturgy," highlighting theatre's role in cultural and intellectual life. Authors like Heinrich Heine regarded him as Germany’s foremost figure after Luther, while John George Robertson emphasized his significance as Europe’s first influential German critic.

Lessing’s Nathan the Wise examined religious tolerance through parables, and his Laocoön outlined art's limits, promoting poetry’s emphasis on action rather than static imagery. His critiques of neoclassicism and advocacy for Shakespearean drama spurred the Sturm und Drang movement, establishing him as a link between Enlightenment rationalism and German literary identity. Lessing’s legacy resides in his integration of aesthetic theory, moral philosophy, and dramatic innovation, securing his place as a foundational figure in modern German thought.

Quotes about “Gotthold Ephraim Lessing”

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

“ Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was born on the 22nd of January, 1729, eldest of ten sons of a pious and learned minister of Camenz in the Oberlausitz, who had two daughters also. As a child Lessing delighted in books, and had knowledge beyond his years when he went to school, in Meissen, at the age of twelve. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ Miss Sara Sampson
Philotas
Emilia Galotti
Nathan The Wise
LESSING. Since Luther, Germany has produced no greater or better man than Gotthold Ephraim Lessing; these two are Germany's pride and joy.
This is the witness of Heine, and with Goethe in memory, none would pronounce the statement too bold. Luther and Lessing are Germany's representative men; each inaugurates an epoch the very existence of which would not have been possible without him. Nor is this the only point of analogy. Lessing was the Luther of the eighteenth century. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

“ To secure fixed income he took a poor office as Librarian at Wolfenbüttel. In his first year at Wolfenbüttel, he wrote his play of “Emilia Galotti.” Then came a long-desired journey to Italy; but it came in inconvenient form, for it had to be made with Prince Leopold, of Brunswick, hurriedly, for the sake of money, at the time when Lessing was at last able to marry.
The wife, long waited for, and deeply loved, died at the birth of her first child. This was in January, 1778, when Lessing’s age was 49. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

John George Robertson, 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica (1911)

“ Klopstock’s supreme importance lay, however, in the fact that he was a forerunner of the movement of Sturm und Drang. But before turning to that movement we must consider two writers who, strictly speaking, also belong to the age under consideration—Lessing and Wieland.
As Klopstock had been the first of modern Germany’s inspired poets, so Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–1781) was the first critic who brought credit to the German name throughout Europe. He was the most liberal-minded exponent of 18th-century rationalism. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna Von Barnhelm

“ I believe the lady took me for you. "Franziska," she cried, with her eyes fixed upon me, "am I happy now?" Then she looked straight up to the ceiling, and said again —"Am I happy now?" Then she wiped the tears from her eyes, and smiled, and asked me again—"Franziska, am I happy now?" I really felt, I know not how. Then she ran to the door of her room, and turned round again towards me, saying—"Come, Franziska, whom do you pity now?" and with that she went in. FRAN. Oh! Mr. Landlord, you dreamt that. LAND. Dreamt! No, my pretty maid; one does not dream so minutely. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

“ A new venture with Mylius, a quarterly record of the history of the theatre, was not successful; but having charge committed to him of the library part of Mylius’s journal, Lessing had an opportunity of showing his great critical power. Gottsched, at Leipsic, was then leader of the war on behalf of classicism in German literature. Lessing fought on the National side, and opposed also the beginning of a new French influence then rising, which was to have its chief apostle in Rousseau.
In 1752 Lessing went back to Wittenberg for another year, that he might complete the work for graduation ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ For two years Lessing remained at Berlin; busy years, in which he scattered these treatises teeming with discernment and genius. Then at the end of that time he felt himself exhausted, he craved seclusion, in which he could once more live for himself and garner up fresh stores of knowledge. The city and his numerous friends were too distracting. So one day he stole away without previous warning and installed himself in the quiet university town of Wittenberg. At Wittenberg he spent a year of quiet study. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ He had not been ten days in Vienna before one of the younger princes of the house of Brunswick arrived there also on his way to Italy. He wished to have Lessing as his travelling companion. Thus a long cherished desire was to be realised at the moment when a far stronger one had usurped its place. Lessing debated for some time what he should do, but on consideration with Madame Koenig, it was decided to be unwise to offend the prince whose earnest wish for Lessing's companionship was supported by the Empress Maria Theresa, and moreover the projected journey was only to extend over eight weeks ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

“ All that he might then have saved from his earnings went to the buying of books and to the relief of the burdens in the Camenz parsonage. At Berlin the office of Royal Librarian became vacant. The claims of Lessing were urged, but Frederick appointed an insignificant Frenchman. In 1767 Lessing was called to aid an unsuccessful attempt to establish a National Theatre in Hamburg.
Other troubles followed. Lessing gave his heart to a widow, Eva König, and was betrothed to her. But the involvements of her worldly affairs, and of his, delayed the marriage for six years. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna Von Barnhelm

“ Yes, yes, my pretty maid, then I was a dangerous man: many a one knew it; but now!!!!! WER. Oh! the old fool! LAND. There it is! When we get old, danger is at an end! It will be so with you too, Herr Werner! WER. You utter old fool!—Little woman, you will give me credit for enough common sense not to speak of danger from him. That one devil has left him, but seven others have entered into him. LAND. Oh! hear him! How cleverly he can turn things about. Joke upon joke, and always something new! Ah! he is an excellent man, Paul Werner is. (To Franziska, as if whispering.) ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna Von Barnhelm

“ Yesterday, I was broke dree times. Je sais bien, qu'il y avait quelque chose de plus que le jeu. Car parmi mes pontes se trouvaient certaines dames. I will not speak more. One must be very galant to les dames. Dey have invite me again to-day, to give me revanche; mais— vous m'entendez, Mademoiselle,—one must first have to live, before one can have to play. MIN. I hope, sir!!!!! RIC. Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle. MIN. (Takes Franziska aside.) Franziska, I really feel for the man. Would he take it ill, if I offer him something? FRAN. He does not look to me like a man who would. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

“ In 1746, at the age of seventeen, Lessing was sent to the University of Leipsic. There he studied with energy, and was attracted strongly by the theatre. His artistic interest in the drama caused him to be put on the free list of the theatre, in exchange for some translations of French pieces. Then he produced, also for the Leipsic stage, many slight pieces of his own, and he had serious thought of turning actor, which excited alarm in the parsonage at Camenz and caused his recall home in January, 1747. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna Von Barnhelm

“ Now she will catch it! SCENE XI. Werner (with a purse full of gold) , Just, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska WER. Here I am already, Major! MAJ. T. (without looking at him) . Who wants you? WER. I have brought more money! A thousand pistoles! MAJ. T. I do not want them! WER. And to-morrow, Major, you can have as many more. MAJ. T. Keep your money! WER. It is your money, Major... I do not think you see whom you are speaking to! MAJ. T. Take it away! I say. WER. What is the matter with you?—I am Werner. MAJ. T. All goodness is dissimulation; all kindness deceit. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ In vain have we shed our streams of blood, in vain have we conquered lands. There he departs with our booty, the greater victor!--Come! Get me my son! And when I have him, I will no more be king. Do ye believe, ye men, that one does not grow weary of it? (Exeunt.)
EMILIA GALOTTI. A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS. (Translated by B. Dillon Boylan.)
'Emilia Galotti' was commenced in 1757, when Lessing was at Leipzig, but was thrown aside for some years, until in 1767, when at Hamburg, he again took it up, intending to have it represented on the Hamburg stage. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

“ It was produced with great success at Frankfort on the Oder, and Lessing’s ruling passion for dramatic literature became the stronger for this first experience of what he might be able to achieve. In literature, Frederick the Great cared only for what was French. A National drama, therefore, could not live in Berlin. In the autumn of 1755, Lessing suddenly moved to Leipsic, where an actor whom he had befriended was establishing a theatre. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ Like Luther, he was true to every conviction, and did not shrink from its expression. Like Luther, he could have said, "I was born to fight with devils and storms, and hence it is that my writings are so boisterous and stormy." Like Luther, he became the founder of a new religion and of a new German literature. And again, like Luther, his life labours were not for Germany alone, but spread over all Europe; and few of us know how much of our present culture we owe directly or indirectly to Lessing's influence. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ MARWOOD. If Mellefont knows how to appreciate his happiness, Miss Sampson will make him the most enviable of men. But----
SARA. A "but," and then a pause, Madam----
MARWOOD. I am frank, Miss Sampson.
SARA. And for this reason infinitely more to be esteemed.
MARWOOD. Frank--not seldom imprudently so. My "but" is a proof of it. A very imprudent "but."
SARA. I do not think that my Lady Solmes can wish through this evasion to make me more uneasy. It must be a cruel mercy that only rouses suspicions of an evil which it might disclose.
MARWOOD. Not at all, Miss Sampson! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna Von Barnhelm

“ He must have money, and it is bad enough that they have made his own so troublesome to him. But I know what I would do, were I in his place. I would say—"The deuce take you all here; I will go with Paul Werner to Persia!" Hang it! Prince Heraclius must have heard of Major von Tellheim, if he has not heard of Paul Werner, his late sergeant. Our affair at Katzenhauser!!!!! JUST. Shall I give you an account of that? WER. You give me! I know well that a fine battle array is beyond your comprehension. I am not going to throw my pearls before swine. Here, take the hundred ducats ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ In naming Lessing, Goethe, and Schiller, we utter the three greatest names that German literature can boast. And between the three runs a connecting link of endeavour; the efforts of none can be conceived without the efforts of the others; but Lessing was the leader. He was the mental pathfinder who smoothed the way for Goethe's genius, and prepared the popular understanding for Schiller, the poetical interpreter of Kant. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna Von Barnhelm

“ LAND. I don't want to hear anything about Just. As I said, this pretty maid here can speak. (Whispering to her.) You know, my dear; the ring! Tell Herr Werner about it. Then he will learn better what I am. And that it may not appear as if she only said what I wish, I will not even be present. I will go; but you shall tell me after, Herr Werner, you shall tell me, whether Just is not a foul slanderer. (Exit.) SCENE V. Werner, Franziska WER. Little woman, do you know my Major? FRAN. Major von Tellheim? Yes, indeed, I do know that good man. WER. Is he not a good man? Do you like him? ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ SARA. Is he still alive? Is it true? Is he still alive? May he live a long while yet, and live happily! Oh, would that God would add the half of my years to his life! Half! How ungrateful should I be, if I were not willing to buy even a few moments for him with all the years, that may yet be mine! But tell me at least, Waitwell, that it is not hard for him to live without me; that it was easy to him to renounce a daughter who could so easily renounce her virtue, that he is angry with me for my flight, but not grieved; that he curses me, but does not mourn for me. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna Von Barnhelm

“ Through mere vanity he gives himself out as a false player; he does not wish to appear under an obligation to one; he wishes to save himself the thanks. Perhaps he may now go, pay his small debts, live quietly and frugally on the rest as far as it will go, and think no more of play. If that be so, Franziska, let him come for recruits whenever he pleases. (Gives her cup to Franziska.) There, put it down! But, tell me, should not Tellheim be here by this time? FRAN. No, my lady, I can neither find out the bad side in a good man, nor the good side in a bad man. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ Help! help for the prince! Prince, what raving anguish----
PHILOTAS. Forgive me, king! I have dealt you a more deadly blow than myself! I die, and soon will peaceful lands enjoy the fruit of my death. Your son, king, is a prisoner, and the son of my father is free!
ARIDÄUS. What do I hear?
STRATO. Then it was your purpose, prince? But as our prisoner, you had no right over yourself!
PHILOTAS. Do not say that, Strato! Should a man be able to fetter another's liberty to die, the liberty which the gods have left in all vicissitudes of life?
STRATO. O king! Terror has paralyzed him! King! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ He was a playgoer, and what was still worse, he was a play-writer, for the directress of the Leipzig Theatre, Frau Neuber, a woman, of great taste and intelligence, had put on the stage Lessing's juvenile effort, 'The Young Scholar.' Nay more, he associated with a notorious freethinker, Mylius, and in concert with him had contributed to various journals and periodicals. And meanwhile the magistracy of Camentz was allowing Lessing a stipend on condition of studying theology. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

“ SALADIN.
Well, and the judge, I’m eager now to hear
What thou wilt make him say. Go on, go on.
NATHAN.
The judge said, If ye summon not the father
Before my seat, I cannot give a sentence.
Am I to guess enigmas? Or expect ye
That the true ring should here unseal its lips?
But hold—you tell me that the real ring
Enjoys the hidden power to make the wearer
Of God and man beloved; let that decide.
Which of you do two brothers love the best?
You’re silent. Do these love-exciting rings
Act inward only, not without? Does each
Love but himself? ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ MARINELLI. Mere admiration! Who does not know, Countess, that you are a philosopher?
ORSINA. Am I not? True; I am a philosopher. But have I now shown it; ah, shame! If I have shown it, and have often done so, it were no wonder if the Prince despised me. How can man love a creature which, in spite of him, will think? A woman who thinks is as silly as a man who uses paint. She ought to laugh--do nothing but laugh, that the mighty lords of the creation may be kept in good humour--What makes me laugh now, Marinelli? ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing

“ And so, Conti, you really consider Emilia Galotti amongst the first beauties of our city.
CONTI. Amongst them? Amongst the first? The first of our city? You jest, Prince, or your eyesight must have been all this time as insensible as your hearing.
PRINCE. Dear Conti (again fixing his eyes on the picture) , how can we uninitiated trust our eyes? In fact, none but an artist can judge of beauty.
CONTI. And must the feeling of every person wait for the decision of a painter? To a cloister with him who would learn from us what is beautiful! But this much I must own to you, as a painter, Prince. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

“ TEMPLAR.
May I ask,
Nathan, who ’twas now left you?
NATHAN.
Did you know him?
TEMPLAR.
Was’t that good-hearted creature the lay-brother,
Whom the hoar patriarch has a knack of using
To feel his way out?
NATHAN.
That may be. In fact
He’s at the patriarch’s.
TEMPLAR.
’Tis no awkward hit
To make simplicity the harbinger
Of craft.
NATHAN.
If the simplicity of dunces,
But if of honest piety?
TEMPLAR.
This last
No patriarch can believe in.
NATHAN.
I’ll be bound for’t
This last belongs to him who quitted me.
He’ll not assist his patriarch to accomplish
A vile or cruel purpose. ”

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

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