The Age of Rationalism is called the reaction to the excessiveness of the Baroque Age. Actually it was more of a readjustment back to the roots of human nature. Most of the works of this age deal with humanity on one level or another.

This age produced many great authors the first being Johann Gottsched who brought many improvements into German literature, especially in drama. The next great was Gotthold Lessing who formed the basis of modern German dramas and in doing so, was considered be a true liberator of German literature. His "Nathan the Wise" "remains a monument to principles of religious tolerance and human dignity." Christopher Wieland was another important author of the time. A novelist inspired be French refinement and sensuousness, Wieland translated many of Shakespeare's plays into German. The emotionalism of the German people was expressed by Friedrich Klopstock in "The Messiah".