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Bubonic Plague: The Black Death

Decent Essays

The Black Death was the result of bubonic plague in the 14th century, which is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and carried by fleas. It was named the ‘Black Death’ as people who were infected had black welts and many died. Even if they were alive, they were gravely ill.
It is devastating as the plagues spread rapidly to many parts of the world. Furthermore, it is highly contagious and thus easily spread from human to human. People who were infected had almost no chances of recovery or survival.
The disease is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is mainly found in small rodents like rats and it can be spread to human through flea bites or via close contact with infected rodents or human.
Human population growth increase the …show more content…

People have different hierarchy power and everyone knew their place.
When the Black Death swept over Europe and wiped out a third of its population, it also dismantled Feudalism. Serfs were free to leave the lands of the lords to seek higher wages as there were vast labor shortages. The land that had usually been the primary source of wealth was now worthless as people were deserting their land. This allowed normal people to claim the land and wealth, rising up to power.
In the 14th century, artistic and literary expression took on a dark humor and tone in order to cope with the tragedy. For instance, the Italian Boccaccio set his Decameron in the plague year, 1348. This collection of vulgar tales was a predecessor to Chaucers Canterbury Tales. Boccacio and Chaucer both mocked the hopelessness of those who have nothing else to lose. The art of the period also showed the bleakness of the situation. Drawings were morose, full of death and destruction. Paintings were also overflowing with tortured souls, death, dying, fire and brimstone. Another common scenario in religious portraits was the deathbed scene, a dying man or woman surrounded by a kind of social ceremony. People also expressed their feeling and loss of hope after the Black Death though literature like the poem "The Rattle Bag" by the Welsh poet Dafydd ap Gwilym. It has many elements that suggest that it was written as a reflection of the hardships he endured

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