The moral inflictions seem to be the cause and the reasoning behind the spread and virulence of the disease. All diseases are part of the humors medical theory that was in force at the time, that presupposed an imbalance of the humors in the first place in order for there to be a disease. Therefore, in order for such a virulent outbreak of disease to take place, killing young and old, or rich and poor alike, it would be reasonable to assume that a greater moral transgression was being applied by a divine force - “… for I looked upon this dismal time to be a particular season of Divine vengeance, and that God would on this occasion single out the proper objects of His displeasure in a more especial and remarkable manner than at another time” …show more content…
It was also observed that the plague decreased sooner in those parishes after.” (DeFoe, 1722, p.13) According to the narrator, the Orders regarding the shutting down of the houses was not the wisest, and he didn’t agree that it was a good practice (DeFoe, 1722, p.25-26); however, he does admit to it being necessary to some extent (DeFoe, 1722, p.57). The Lord Mayor’s orders demanded that the food prices should not raise in such a way that is “noticeable” and unfair, and stores would have to provided it, not shutting down and leaving the population without any recourse (DeFoe, 1722, p.64). On the other hand, the narrator expressed how there was a limit to which these orders actually worked, since people escaped, bribed and engaged in violent acts as a result from those orders (DeFoe, 1722, p.20-21). Nonetheless, throughout the piece H.F. commends the city officials for taking initiative and control of the problem. Despite jurisdiction and control issues in the operations of containment of the plague, we can get the sense that, as basic as they were, those measures - Orders - were …show more content…
However, just as God was the center of what had brought this plague about, it was also God according to H.F. that also caused its cure: “Nor was this by any new medicine found out, or new method of cure discovered, or by any experience in the operation which the physicians or surgeons attained to; but it was evidently from the secret invisible hand of Him that had at first sent this disease as a judgement upon us (….) Nothing but the immediate finger of God, nothing but omnipotent power, could have done it.” (DeFoe, 1722, p.87) The major themes presented throughout the book show a crucial interconnection between moral, social and economic values present in London society in a 17th century
Plagues and Peoples written by William H. McNeill follows the patterns of epidemics and endemics within human history. It is within this history that McNeill finds parallels between diseases and humans in the forms of microparasitism and macroparasitism. Merely from the title, McNeill gives equal importance to viruses and humankind. In several instances, humans behave the same way viruses, bacteria, and parasites do in order to survive and to compete. Surprisingly enough, McNeill’s overarching theme can be summarized using his last sentence, asserting that “Infectious disease which antedated the emergence of humankind will last as long as humanity itself, and will surely remain, as it has been hitherto, one of the fundamental parameters and
...se of the plague’s presence by delimiting impious behavior according to biblical law, and condemning displays of impropriety. Individuals who failed to adhere to religious dictates regarding frugality and matrimony were blamed for ushering in the disease. Those who ignored social conventions regarding decent dress and gender codes were also accused of inciting God’s wrath and bringing society to ruin. According to excerpts of Rosemary Horrox’s The Black Death, the religious message of 1348 states that human pain and suffering are divine punishment for decadence, licentiousness, and frivolity. It is interesting to note that religious leaders of the 21st century state much the same thing regarding catastrophic events. This leads one to conclude that standards of propriety and decorum will always remain an inherent part of any religious diagnosis for societal ailments.
An important fact to remember is that in those times, opinions and actions were either based on or blamed on religion and superstition. For example, people started marching across the country, punishing themselves on the basis that the plague was the result of all of man’s sin, whilst trying to persuade people of their cause. Also, charms were used by some cultures, such as the “Abra Kadabra” charm, which was either carved, or worn as protective jewellery to ward off the evil spirits causing the plague. It looked similar to the image below.
The destruction and devastation caused by the 'Black Death' of the Middle Ages was a phenomenon left to wonder at in text books of historical Europe. An unstoppable plague swept the continent taking as much as eighty percent of the European population along with it (Forsyth).
William H. McNeill makes a monumental contribution to the knowledge of humanity in his book Plagues and Peoples. He looks at the history of the world from an ecological point of view. From this viewpoint the history of human civilization is greatly impacted by changing patterns of epidemic infection. Plagues and Peoples suggests that "the time scale of world history...should [be] viewed [through] the "domestication" of epidemic disease that occurred between 1300 and 1700" (page 232). "Domestication" is perceived "as a fundamental breakthrough, directly resulting from the two great transportation revolutions of that age - one by land, initiated by the Mongols, and one by sea, initiated by Europeans" (page 232). This book illustrates how man's environment and its resident diseases have controlled human migration, as well as societal successes and failures. McNeill discusses the political, demographical, and psychological effects of disease on the human race. He informs his audience that epidemics are still a viable threat to society, and warns of potential future consequences.
Works Cited Camus, Albert. A. The Plague. Trans. Stuart Gilbert.
The Bubonic Plague, or more commonly known as ‘The Black Death’ or ‘The Black Plague,’ was one of the most devastating and deadliest pandemics that humans have ever witnessed in the history of mankind. The disease spanned two continents in just a few years, marking every country between Western Europe all the way to China. During the reign of the plague, which is estimated to be the years between 1347-1352, it is estimated that “20 million people in Europe–almost one-third of the continent’s population” was killed off due to the plague. The Black Plague would change the course of European history since the plague knew no boundaries and inflicted its wrath upon the rich and the poor alike. As a result, not only did the plague have a devastating demographic impact which encountered a massive social disruption, but also, an economic and religious impact as well.
From the Black Plague in in medieval times to Smallpox to the Polio virus, there have been widespread deaths in occurrence with a multitude of diseases. After millions upon millions of deaths, mankind realized that they needed a way to prevent these diseases from killing mass amounts of their population; through this line of thinking, they developed vaccinations specifically for that purpose. Previously fatal diseases such as tetanus, cervical cancer, tuberculosis, and measles can all be prevented by vaccinations—smallpox, an incredibly lethal illness that caused widespread death in the 19th century has been completely eradicated due to vaccinations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Even syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease referenced in Candide, has methods developed to help cure those who have contracted it. Professor Pangloss, the optimist throughout it all, finds himself suffering through the effects of syphilis—a disease that, during this time period, is likely to be fatal. Despite currently being in the process of dying, Pangloss insists that his suffering “was a thing unavoidable, a necessary ingredient, in the best of worlds” (55). He continues to claim this in spite of knowing that this disease “contaminates the source of life, frequently hinders generation, and is evidently opposite to the great end of nature” (56). Pangloss believes that since he has contracted this sexually transmitted disease, it cannot be due to any other reason than the progression of the “greater good.” In his eyes, God’s plan for him is still intact, because God is good and just. As the one-eyed doctor puts it, “all [of] this was indispensably necessary…for private misfortunes constitute the general good, so that the more private misfortunes there are, the greater is the general good” (57). If
Kira L. S. Newman, “Shutt Up: Bubonic Plague and Quarantine in Early Modern England,” Journal of Social History, 3, (2012): 809-834
We can see this as we compare the writings of Weyer, (document 4) from the fifteenth century, who feared the Plague, to the writings of Bertrand, (document 16) from the eighteenth as he declared the Plague was cause because of religious superstition. This shift in belief may be caused by the "Age of Enlightenment" that caused people to think more irrationality, and to heavily believe in
When the plague hit Europe in the 14th century, thousands of people were seemingly dropping dead. Christians determined that the cause of these fatalities was an act of God’s wrath and punishment for the sinners. Unfortunately, dense populations of peasants in cities allowed the disease to spread quickly, yet elite such as priests and physicians often fled for their own wellbeing. Thomas Dekker addresses his thought that these elite should be obligated to remain in the cities to aid the sick peasants rather than leaving them for dead in the piece A Rod for Run-awayes. Dekker argues that the rich peoples who fled could have helped those that were left behind both by providing for them directly in addition to demonstrating to God the sense of community with the virtue of dealing with this issue together. During this time, priests and physicians should have felt
The Black Death plagues had disastrous consequences for Europe in the 14th century. After the initial outbreak in Europe, 1347, it continued for around five years and then mysteriously disappeared. However it broke out again in the 1360s and every few decades thereafter till around 1700. The European epidemic was an outbreak of the bubonic plague, which began in Asia and spread across trade routes. When it reached Europe, a path of destruction began to emerge. Medieval society was tossed into disarray, economies were fractured, the face of culture and religion changed forever. However the plagues devastation was not all chaotic, there were benefits too, such as modern labour movements, improvements in medicine and a new outlook on life. Therefore in order to analyse the impact the Black Death had on societies in the 14th century, this essay will consider the social, economic, cultural and religious factors in order to reach an overall conclusion.
How to Survive a Plague (2012) is a documentary about the story of two coalitions, ACT-UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group). Both groups dedicate their time and energy to stop AIDS from being the deadly disease that it has been for years and is only getting worse. Those affected by the disease were primarily of the LGBT community. Those with AIDS struggled to see progress with research for a cure because of those who held leadership roles had in certain religious views along with a lack of political interest. As millions of individuals were dying from this abhorrent disease, the two coalitions continued to protest and advocate for change. Through their actions, an effective treatment was found for AIDS. Their actions even led to the LGBT community
There is a lot to prove that Paneloux first sermon contains a lot of bad ideas. Even though God does bring His wrath out on the world a lot in the Bible, the plague is mos...
The Bubonic Plague, otherwise known as the Black Death was a raging disease. Most people thought of it as the physical Grim Reaper of their town or community. The disease lasted about six years, 1347 to 1352. The Bubonic Plague was a travesty that has traveled throughout Europe and has raged and decimated both large and small towns, putting Europe through a lot.