Did Christopher Marlowe know he would die young? Did he seek out a life that would guarantee that? Did he enter that tavern in Deptford expecting fatal violence--if not for him, for others?
The context of his times suggests a more liberal attitude towards the young dying and great old age reserved for a very lucky few.
Modern fatalism seems to have greater diversity. A notable collection of fools--mostly middle aged white men in California--are investing great sums of money in the pursuit of life extensions. That they pursue this after the prime of their life, and with certain knowledge that their efforts will fail, is perhaps a greater error than those who take real risks in the pursuit of cheating death by a hair.
"Delight in your youth.....Fear God and obey His commandments...."
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