Consummatum est.- It is finished. Doctor Faustus utters these words in the fifth scene of the play of the same name, long before the actual conclusion of the play. Why? Because, in his mind, his role is over. Fate is now the master of his life, and despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he stubbornly claims that he cannot change what he sees as his destiny. In his typical way, Marlowe explores a very controversial topic for his contemporary audience in his play Dr. . Fausto. The Calvinist doctrine of predestination, or the idea that God has already chosen those who will be saved, had gained substantial ground in Elizabethan England, particularly within the Puritan movement of the Anglican Church. Marlowe was no doubt familiar with this modification of the ancient idea that one's fate is already decided. Obviously this debate helped him create his version of Faust. In the prologue, Marlowe begins his characterization: In his more mature years he went to Wittenburg, while his relatives mainly raised him. whose sweet pleasure disputes in heavenly questions of theology. (Marlowe 345) From this introduction the reader learns several valuable pieces of information. First, that Faustus is from Wittenburg, the birthplace of the Protestant movement which includes Calvinism. Secondly, that Faustus is a doctor of theology. Marlowe irrefutably attempts to link his creation, Doctor Faustus, to the theological authorities who advocated the doctrine of predestination. This connection is further strengthened when Faustus' fatalism becomes evident. Out in the open... middle of paper... believes his life is out of his control even when he is the only character to have done anything. significant decisions in the entire show. Because of the many times he rejects divine help and rejects the idea of ​​controlling his life, Faustus's stubborn belief that he cannot be saved appears almost comically tragic to the audience. The reader gets the sense that Faustus uses fatalism as justification to do what he wants. This may be Marlowe's attempt to draw attention to a condition he saw in his society. For Faustus, fatalism became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Marlowe manipulated the Faust legend to comment on a widely held belief in his society. Because of his atheistic tendencies, Marlowe was able to look at religious beliefs objectively and, through Dr. Faustus, urged his audience to reflect on the Calvinist conception of predestination..