Part 1
The discussion question for this week more or less writes itself. Given that we are currently living through a global pandemic (though thankfully not one quite so deadly as the Black Death of 1340-1352), I wanted to pose the question: Do you guys see any similarities in societal/cultural responses to the Black Death and the Coronavirus pandemic? What about differences?
Part 2
In the lectures this week, we discussed the havoc that the Black Death wreaked across the known world between 1340-1352. Given the chaos of the disease on societies from England to China, artwork from the time period remains scarce. However, the picture found in the link above, titled “Tournai Citizens Burying the Dead During the Black Death,” is a contemporary piece that depicts villagers in the town of Tournai, Belgium during the height of the plague.
For your paper this week, I want you to discuss how the image shows the social and cultural effects of the plague in European society. Feel free to focus on one aspect of the piece or talk about multiple elements you see. Feel free to get as creative as possible.
Rubric:
Papers that receive an “A” grade will be one-page, double-spaced. They will cite both the lectures and the primary source (the painting). They will have a clear structure, a strong and clear thesis statement, and demonstrate an understanding of how the plague affected European society.
