14th Century Western Civilization
Social Criticism on a Patriarchal and Christian Society in Giovanni Boccaccio's "The Decameron"
Western civilization during the 14th century is characteristically considered as the "rebirth" of Greek and Roman cultures, which have declined after its glorious classical and Golden Age revolution during the Middle Ages. This 'rebirth' is referred to as the Renaissance movement, which are the revival of classical cultures and the emergence of the humanist movement. Italy, in particular, had become the cradle of human development of the Renaissance period, which brought about individualism, humanism, religious revolution (or reform), and the Scientific Revolution. In the midst of these developments, Giovanni Boccaccio, famous Italian writer and humanist, depicts life during the Renaissance movement and the Black Death, where European nations, particularly Italy, was ravaged and reduced in population. The Black Death was the result of a deadly plague caused by infected rodents that came from the Middle East and traveled to the Europe through trade routes (aboard trade ships). The glory of the Renaissance movement and destruction of the Black Death is illustrated effectively in "The Decameron" (Ten Days' Work), written by Boccaccio from 1348 to 1353.
In "The Decameron," Boccaccio did not only narrated to his readers the two significant events in human history during the 14th century, but provides social criticism, through anecdotes narrated by the characters in the novel, issues about patriarchy and women marginalization and dominance and abuses of the Church in the society. Through each day or chapters in the novel, Boccaccio illustrates in concrete details and examples how this social stratification has prevailed in Italian society (and in general, European society) for many years. Furthermore, this paper discusses how Boccaccio uses "The Decameron" as a medium through which the author implies that the Renaissance and Black Death are events that signify protest against the inequalities prevalent...
..To speak to or go near the sick brought infection and a common death... To touch the clothes (which) the sick had touched or worn gave the disease to the person touching" (Williams, 167). This description is quite accurate, yet even well-educated and enlightened Boccaccio himself did not know how the plague was spread from one person to another. It is also true that the plague bacillus could be spread
This suffering was not exclusive to the lower classes with all social groups being affected. Outbreaks of bubonic plague were a regular feature of the Medieval Period though never as severe. Those who survived the plague were compelled to adjust to a new social and economic reality. Such a multitude of people had perished that a severe shortage of labor ensued which improved wages and living conditions for urban
Laborers began to demand a wage for their efforts, which led to the rise of a money-based economy as opposed to the earlier land-based economy (middle-ages.org). Europeans in the middle ages tended to be superstitious in their religious beliefs. As they searched for something or someone to blame for the wrath of the plague, all of their praying and blind faith did not protect them from being infected. Comets, earthquakes, astrological
Black Death in 14th Century Europe Pivot Point In History causes and effects in history 20/20 HISTORICAL HINDSIGHT The Black Death of the middle 14th Century in Europe was a major pivot point in History. Three ways it was a turning point can be seen through social hierarchy, the Roman Catholic Church and Medicine. Social hierarchy, the Church and Medicine were all different before the Black Death, they all failed during the Black Death,
Black Death and its impact on Western Civilization Black Death and Religion The Black Death adversely impacted the reputation of the Catholic Church since its own adherents (including clergy) were ill and dying and the Church proved impotent to cure them. This feeling of disillusionment towards the church was reinforced by oen of the theories of its transmission that speculated that it was disseminated through the air by way of "miasma'
One of the most significant economic consequences affected the feudal system in that "whole villages vanished in the wake of the plague" (Craig 430). As death struck every area of life that meant that there would less people to take care of every day business and an increased need for physicians. The labor supply decreased while wages for labor increased. Many serfs replaced their "labor services with money payments
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