The Black Death

Definition

The Black Death refers to the devastating pandemic of bubonic plague that swept through Europe in the mid-14th century, peaking between 1347 and 1351. This catastrophic event led to the deaths of millions and had profound social, economic, and cultural impacts on European society, influencing themes of mortality and human behavior found in literature, including notable works like The Canterbury Tales.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Black Death is estimated to have killed approximately 25 to 30 million people in Europe, which was about one-third of the population at that time.
2. The pandemic triggered significant social changes, including a labor shortage that allowed surviving workers to demand better wages and working conditions.
3. In literature, the Black Death often symbolizes the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, leading authors to explore themes of morality, sin, and redemption.
4. The spread of the Black Death was exacerbated by trade routes and movement of armies, highlighting the interconnectedness of societies during this period.
5. Responses to the Black Death included both fear and attempts at understanding the disease, with some blaming certain groups or practicing extreme measures like flagellation.

Review Questions

• How did the Black Death influence social structures in medieval Europe as depicted in literary works?
  • The Black Death drastically altered social structures by causing a significant labor shortage as millions died. This shift empowered surviving workers who could demand better wages and conditions, challenging the existing feudal system. Literary works from this time often reflect these changes by addressing themes of mortality and the reevaluation of societal roles, showcasing how literature captured this transformative period.
• Analyze how The Canterbury Tales addresses the impact of the Black Death on human behavior and morality.
  • In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer presents a range of characters whose stories illustrate various responses to the chaos brought on by the Black Death. The tales often emphasize themes of greed, corruption, and morality, reflecting societal anxieties during a time when death was omnipresent. Characters may represent different facets of humanity that emerge under crisis, revealing how the plague influenced both individual behavior and collective values.
• Evaluate how the themes emerging from the Black Death shaped literary forms and narratives in the 14th century, particularly in relation to The Canterbury Tales.
  • The themes arising from the Black Death had a profound impact on literary forms in the 14th century by prompting writers to grapple with concepts such as mortality, divine justice, and human folly. In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer employs allegorical storytelling to reflect on these themes through a diverse cast of characters. This blending of narrative styles allows for deeper explorations of how individuals navigated their fears and beliefs during an era marked by uncertainty and tragedy. Ultimately, these thematic concerns helped define a new literary consciousness that resonated with readers grappling with their own experiences of loss and moral questioning.

Related terms

Bubonic Plague: A highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, transmitted through fleas that lived on rats, leading to severe illness and high mortality rates.

Feudalism:

The social and economic system prevalent in medieval Europe, characterized by the hierarchy of lords and vassals, which was significantly disrupted by the population decline due to the Black Death.

Allegory:

A narrative technique where characters and events symbolize broader moral or political meanings, often used in literature to explore themes of life, death, and morality in the context of the Black Death.