Faust 16th CenturyGoethe's Faust is a timeless work that took Goethe a lifetime to complete. It was first published in 1808, but the work itself does not specify the time period in which it is set. Goethe guides the reader with suggestions to discover it for themselves. After reading the play, one can use Goethe's subtle hints to conclude that Faust is set in the 16th century and during the Reformation. The first hint that Goethe gives to the reader comes after the prologue, in the first scene of the work. In this scene Faust is alone in his study and complains about the limitations of his knowledge. He starts talking about how little the people in power know and how these people have no morals. Without this morality, these people do not fear the devil or hell. “I could well know more than all those dullards, those doctors, teachers, officials and priests, not be disturbed by scruples or doubts, and fear neither hell nor its devils” (366-369). This questioning of authority, particularly religious authority, is a defining characteristic of the reform. Martin Luther left...