Nathan the Wise

In the last scene of Act V, Recha and the Templar are definitively revealed as siblings. Track and discuss how the play lays hints of this truth beforehand. Is the revelation in Act V dramatic, or did the play already make the relationship clear? Why?

Nathan is described as wise, in the title of the play and through the words of characters such as Saladin. What do people consider makes Nathan wise? Is there anyone in the play who is considered foolish?

The Patriarch and the Lay Brother both represent the Christian Church. Compare and contrast these two figures. What contrasting views of Christianity do they present within the play?