English Literature The Plague

Name:

Institution:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

English Literature: The Plague

Introduction

The plague was considered a pandemic that was first experienced between 1347 and 1351 in Europe. It had detrimental effects and led to loss of numerous lives that had never been lost before. Although the region had previously experienced different occurrences of natural epidemics through war and famine, historical evidence ascertains that none had been as fatal as the plague. It spread very fast and brutally consumed countless lives within a very short period of time. The disease spread from one region to another and recurred in subsequent years.

However, different regions experienced its implications in varied ways. Nevertheless, it is contended that the plague had massive adverse impacts on the holistic wellbeing of the society. This paper seeks to evaluate the impacts of the disease to the modernization and renaissance of man. In addition, it provides an explicit evaluation of the effect of the plague on art and literature. This particularistic approach aims at providing the reader with an exhaustive evaluation of the plague on these specific facets of the society.

The plague constituted one of the most fatal natural disasters that occurred during the medieval period. It is posited to have originated from the east and reached Europe in 1347. The most profound effects of this plague were that it led to the death of a significant percentage of the population. In particular, Marvin indicates that close to one third of European population succumbed to the disease (61). It occurred in three intricate forms. The most common of the three was the bubonic variant. This name is relative and was derived from its symptoms that included buboes or swelling of a person’s groin, arm pits or / and neck. Regardless of the fact that some of the individuals survived these painful lesions of the disease, manifestation of these symptoms implied that the victim’s life expectancy was just one week. This was commonly spread by infected fleas. Essentially, the fleas that attached themselves to the rats found their way to the human body.

The second variation of this disease was the pneumonic plague (Herlihy 43). This was more fatal and victims survived for a maximum period of two days. Notably, it also spread very fast as the disease causing organisms were transmitted through the air. Thus inhalation of the victim’s exhaled air culminated in its transmission. The last variation of this plague was the septicemia that basically attacked the victim’s blood system.

This disease had far reaching implications on Europe that was undergoing renaissance and modernization. This period was characterized by various social, economic, cultural, and religious developments. For instance, Robert indicates that Christianity was at its peak and modern ways of production boosted the economy of the region (63). Increased production led to an increase in population and commercial activities. The plague impacted upon these developments in various ways. To begin with, it led to loss of lives and consequent depopulation. As indicated earlier, a significant one third of the population lost its lives. This in return adversely affected economic production. In particular, there was shortage of labor due to lack of sufficient manpower. Bennett shows that this led to shortage of food and famine was a common incidence between 1312 and 1317 (54). As a result, populations suffered from starvation as well as malnutrition.

The decreased production of food led to increases in food prices as the peasants increased the prices of their produce. In addition, it is indicated that the population decrease reduced the incidences of competition and as such, skilled workers tended to charge higher prices for their services. The church was also not left behind as it imposed higher prices on funeral services which were seemingly on high demand. According to Dennis, the upper class in the society and the lords were the worst hit (71). This was contributed to by the fact that they owned huge chunks of land that were devalued at that particular time. In addition, since the society presumed that they were economically endowed, they were charged higher prices than the rest of the population.

Further, the psychological implications of famines and deaths that were related to the plague were devastating. Indeed, watching their relatives died a painful death led to psychological trauma. Common conditions in this respect included depression, shock and panic. This also affected social cohesion and most people accused their neighbors for the disease. In this regard, Bennett points out that some persons blamed their neighbors for poisoning their wells (65). The church was also blamed for being materialistic and political and forgetting about the spiritual needs of the population. This was contributed to by the belief that the plague was a God sent punishment for law breakers and sinners. This led to loss of faith in the church especially regarding its functioning. In addition, Bennett indicates that social cohesion was also undermined by isolation (65). This was contributed to by the fact that persons that were not infected by the disease tended to avoid the victims.

Historical evidence ascertains that the plague had profound effects on the culture of the population. It is posited that it greatly dominated the art and literature facets of the medieval culture. Specifically, it greatly influenced poetry, stage works, prose, music and other forms of art. This according to Nirenberg is well exemplified through the works of the then prominent artists such as Holbien, Chaucer and Petrarch (42). Artistic information was stored in the form of chronicles. In this, various scenes were drawn, painted, curved and written to reflect the implications of the plague.

Further, different letters were written in vernacular and read to the nobility. However, these did not reach significant percentage of the population because of inherent transport and communication constraints. In addition, varieties of poems whose interpretation indicates that they addressed the plague were written by the then artists. In addition to addressing the plague, Nirenberg notes that prose written at that particular time also reflected love and courtship (45).

Furthermore the accounts of the plague and its impacts on the community were also recorded in the great literary works of renowned artists such as William Langland (Byrne 81). Notably, these are considered the best versions that could be availed during that time. For example, the Dance Death that was documented during that period is currently considered a modern allegory, drama, expressed art as well as printed work. The main theme presented therein is universality of death.

It highlighted the common wisdom that was essential for survival at that particular time. It speculated that regardless of the position and status of the individuals in the society, each one was compelled to participate in the dance death. It was occasioned by a personified death that led a line up of dancing individuals from all sorts of backgrounds to the “common grave” (Byrne 83). Its crowd comprised of Kings, Lords, peasants Pope, Emperors, beautiful girls and youngsters in a skeleton condition. This was greatly influenced by the effect of the plague and specifically death. It basically sought to inform the audience about the fragility of their lives. In addition, it was meant to teach them a lesson; that numerous treasures of life and glories of the same were worthless in the face of death.

Notably, the poem entitled “The rattled Bag” that was composed by a Welsh poet also had many features that reflected the implications of the plague. In particular, it outlined the difficulties that the population encountered during this period of time. He based his definitions on the biblical verses that were specifically drawn from the book of revelation. Its purpose was to inform the audience that death was more powerful than humanity. As such, it marked the end of human life and could not be overcome in any way.

Further, a sonnet that was written by Thomas Nashe was also elemental in underscoring the impacts of the plague to different aspects of human life. He adopted the title “The Litany in Time of Plague” (Marvin 41). Historical evidence shows that this was incorporated in “The Testament” and “Summers last Will”. The specific accounts of the events were based on the experience of the author when he made various country side visits. Seemingly, he had isolated himself fro the rest of the infected population in a bit to avoid possible infection of this contagious disease. Similar sentiments are aso expressed in “Feast in the Time of the Plague”, a verse play that was written by Aleksandr Pushkin.

Historical studies also ascertain that the plague also influenced varied aspects of the European folklore. In this regard, Dennis reaffirms that it was employed as a traditional folklore in various countries found in Europe (61). In the northern part, this was represented by an old woman who was bent, dressed in black, covered by a hood of a similar color and carrying a rake and a broom. This symbolized the fatal effects of the plague. The Norwegian population contended that the woman who was a representation of the plague that literary ‘swept’ the affected population. If any of them managed to escape through the rake, she employed the broom to ensure that the escaped individual did not get away fro the ultimate death. As such, the whole population was doomed and its survival was at stake. This was referred to as “The Pesta” and it was drawn by Theodor Kittelsen who was also a painter.

After the plague, Herlihy asserts that there were numerous sources of literature about the same (67). This greatly benefited the women who had a chance to access the literature presented in vernacular. In this respect, studies note that this had initially been restricted by Latin Church. The situation was further compounded by the patriarchal nature of the society that forbade the same from accessing the limited literature that was used by men. In his review, Robert indicates that this resulted in to the enhancement of the quality of the literature as women utilized this chance to develop the same (65). They solely based their writings on the initial copies that were availed to them through vernacular.

Further more, this provided a sustainable platform that was used to voice their concerns in the society. A classic example in this regard is presented by Christine de Pizan who was the first woman within this region to undertake writing. Bennett indicates that she explored various literary forms that included books, poems and autobiographies (88). In addition, her writings explored different societal themes that ranged from morality to romance, history and religion.

At a time when the society was slowly but steadily undergoing modernization, the plague had various implications on its wellbeing. Modernization in this regard was manifested through the administration of the plague. Marvin postulates that this included various measures that were aimed at enhancing public awareness about the disease (67). Specific areas of focus included prevention and Isolation campaigns. Comparatively, Italy is posited to have been more aggressive than Europe in enforcing viable counter measures.

Elaborate information about the plague was availed to the public as early as the sixteenth century. Several health boards containing vital factual information about these were provided in different regions and the doctor’s were hired to render relevant services during this period. In addition, Robert cites that civil authorities and respective central governments began to institute and enforce vital plague regulations and policies during the sixteenth century (89). At this juncture, it is worth acknowledging that these efforts were being enforced in traditional society that possibly experienced an epidemic after a century or so. More over, studies argue that previous epidemics included famine, war, infectious diseases and crop failure. Notably, none had impacted massively on the health of the society as the plague.

Conclusion

As it has come out from the review, it can not be disputed that the plague made a significant impact n the history of Europe. It is certain that it affected the holistic wellbeing of humanity and threatened its survival. Of great reference are its implications on art and literature. Notably, it improved the quality of the then literature and gave women a chance to participate actively in the same. Generally, it can be concluded that this epidemic had diverse impacts on modernization and renaissance of man as well as on art and literature.

Works Cited

David, Herlihy. The Plague and Changes in the West. Harvard: University Press, 1997.

David, Nirenerg, Communities of Violence. Oxford: University Press, 1998.

Gottfried, Robert, S. The Black Death. USA: The Free Press, 1983.

Joseph, Byrne P. The Plague. Oxford, University Press, 2004.

Judith, Bennett, M. & Warren, Hollister. History: Medieval Europe. USA: McGraw Hill, 2006.

Perry, Marvin. History and Western Civilization. USA: Houghton, 1993.

Sheran, Dennis (ed.) Interpreting Western History. USA: McGraw Hill, 1991.

Williams, Bernadette. Historical Europe: Annals of Ireland. USA: Four Courts Press, 2007.