The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century, "The Century of Philosophy". The Enlightenment included a range of ideas centered on reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy and came to advance ideals like liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, constitutional government and separation of church and state. In France, the central doctrines of the Enlightenment philosophers were individual liberty and religious tolerance, in opposition to an absolute monarchy and the fixed dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church. The Enlightenment was marked by an emphasis on the scientific method and reductionism, along with increased questioning of religious orthodoxy—an attitude captured by the phrase Sapere aude, "Dare to know".
The theme of fate vs. free will is a common theme explored throughout Christopher Marlowe's play Doctor Faustus. Ultimately, Marlowe seems to be demonstrating that Faustus possesses free will. "Why should’st thou not? Is not thy soul thine own?" Here, Doctor Faustus is saying that he has a free will to sign the document or, if he should choose, not to sign. so,
There are numerous points in the play in which it is suggested that Faustus is able to repent for his sins at any given point, but refuses to do so. Furthermore, Faustus willingly and knowingly surrenders his life and fate by voluntarily agreeing to his pact with Lucifer.
Christopher Marlowe uses the play to challenge the teaches of the establish Church. He believed that men were not locked into church doctrine but could decide for themselves God's plan. In Doctor Faust is found a man conflicted with the choices he has made, many of which contradict the morals of his day. Yet, he accepted that he wanted enlightenment. He chose knowledge over right or wrong, and in the end, it destroyed him. So, could it be that Marlowe is telling us to enjoy knowledge but don't let it draw us away from our roots, away from all teh is right and good?
