Essay about The Black Death in The Decameron by Boccaccio

The Black Death was an epidemic disease that was also known as the Bubonic Plague. It was one of the most tragic epidemics that has happened in the world. The Black Death hit England between the years of 1348-1350. This plague annihilated one third of its original population. Trading ships that came to England during this time were blamed for the spread of this disease. People believed that when trading ships left other countries that they would bring in infested rats that carried the disease. When the rats would come in contact with a person or bit a person is believed to be the reason on why the deadly virus spread so quickly. Also many thought that the plague was airborne; when they thought this was the cause of the spreading of the†¦show more content†¦However, after the Black Death the paintings then turned for the worse. Paintings turned dark and no one painted to show realism anymore they painted to show peoples fear of death. They also showed that no one lives a perf ect life and death is right around the corner. In the paintings, the people who were dressed elegantly were exchanged with skeletons with dilapidated clothing. â€Å"Paintings were overflowing with tortured souls, death, dying, fire and brimstone.† Before the Black Death the atmosphere of the paintings were very bright and optimistic. The happiness that filled the paintings before were replaced with images of Hell and Satan (The Effect the Black Death para. 3). The masks that doctors wore during this time period to save themselves from getting the disease when treating patients became an important visual art. In Behind the Mask: Plague Doctors they quoted: The nose [is] half a foot long, shaped like a beak, filled with perfume with only two holes, one on each side near the nostrils, but that can suffice to breathe and carry along with the air one breathes the impression of the [herbs] enclosed further along in the beak. Under the coat we wear boots made in Moroccan leather (goat leather) from the front of the breeches in smooth skin that are attached to said boots, and a short sleeved blouse in smooth skin, the bottom of which is tucked into the breeches. The hat and gloves are also made of the same skin†¦withShow MoreRelatedEurope and the Black Death Essay1541 Words   |  7 PagesEurope–almost one-third of the continent’s population,† by the 1350’s (Black Death). Now in today’s society scientists classify the unidentifiable disease as the bubonic plague, also referred to as the Black Death. During fourteenth century European-society, there was no logical medical knowledge; instead, people resor ted to supplementary explanations, such as God punishing misbehaving religious groups and sinners (Black Death). 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