Speaker: See above.
Date/Context: "The Plague in France" is written by Jean de Venette, and takes place in 14th century France during the Black Plague. The document discusses the spread of the plague, its impact on the French, and the after math.
Summary: From 1348-1349, France was hit with a deadly disease; The Black Plague. The disease was called an Epidemic because of how it spread. It is said to have started in Italy, then to France, through Spain, and eventually to Germany. Signs of the disease were large swellings on the groin or armpits. Many people on the brink of death, confessed all their sins. Pope Clement VI blessed many men, giving them of being blessed and their sins forgotten before they died. Many men left their inheritances to churches, mainly because they all had lost their heirs and children to the plague. It was said that the disease was spreading through tainted water. As a result of this, Jews were automatically blamed. Many were massacred and slaughtered, and some were burned. After the Epidemic, many towns were left nearly vacant. Many men and women married and had children. Children born were said to had have a total of 22 teeth. Which was odd for people because men usually had a total of 32. Jean de Venette discussed how this could be a result from the actual disease, and how a whole population was nearly wiped out. After the plague, it seemed as though people cherished their belongings, and even buy abundances of them.
Key Quotations:
- "The people of France and of almost the world were struck by a blow other than war."
- "...the mortality of men and women,...was so great that it was almost to bury the dead."
- "Nor was there anyone who died without confessing his sins and receiving the holy viaticum."
- "...the Jews were suddenly and violently charged with infecting wells and water and corrupting the air."
- "With this diminution in the number of teeth signified I wonder greatly; unless it be a new era resulting from the destruction of one human generation by the plague and its replaceemt nu another."
As a whole, your summary addresses every part of the document; great job! You also give ample detail to Jean de Venette's biography, which is good. However, it is also important to note that he is a Carmelite friar who was focused on spreading literacy and knowledge to his pupils. In fact, he viewed ignorance as the biggest problem of his time and sought to educate young people to combat this. One must also take into consideration that Venette wrote his account of the Black Death after it had already happened, so he no doubt possessed some retrospect regarding the situation. In terms of summary, you hit everything spot on, but I don't quite agree with your last point. Venette writes, "For men were more avaricious and grasping than before, even though they had far greater possessions." Rather, Venette is arguing that even though they were wealthier than before, their morality had faded and they sought even more wealth. He also expounds upon the fact that charity for the poor began to slow down and ignorance and sin abounded, as there was no one willing to educate young people. In regards to your quotations, I like how you picked more than one, for it truly captures the essence of Venette's work. I especially like your first quotation and your fourth one! Overall, awesome job.
ReplyDeleteThe plagued devastated Europe. People attributed the causes to a variety of factors and there was a general feeling of fear and unease. In many areas, there were small "baby booms" after the plague disappeared. This dramatic demographic shift will set the stage for many of the developments that characterize "modern" Europe.
ReplyDelete"Some said that this pestilence was caused by infection of the air and waters, since there was at this time no famine or lack of food supplies, but on the contrary great abundance."