Summer Work
Conor Gibbons 1. The Decameron
1 (a). Where did the plague begin and spread?
The plague began in Asia and was caused by rats, it was transmitted to humans through the bites of fleas.
1 (b). What two possible causes does Boccaccio suggest for such a terrible event? Boccaccio suggests that the plague started through the influence of heavenly bodies or because of God’s anger for our wicked deeds.
2. How did people behave toward those who were sick? Why?
People who were not affected by the plague completely isolated themselves from the sick. The healthy did not help the sick, so if a person were to become infected they would receive no help and would be left for dead. 3. How did the plague affect city government and laws?
The plague affected city government and laws tremendously because the city leaders were all sick, dead, or trapped in their houses, and without leaders the laws were not enforced, and essentially there was no government. 4. What aspect of people’s behavior seems to shock Boccaccio most?
Boccaccio seems to be most shocked at the fact that parents were abandoning their children if they became infected.
5. What ways of living did people adopt in the face of the plague? Did any of them work better than others? Which, if any, of these alternatives would you choose? People lived in small communities, away from the sick. Some communities drank fine wine and only the best food in moderation, while others drank excessively and ate whenever they desired. I think living in a small community and eating and drinking rationally would work best, because it is most like regular life and would allow food quantities to last longer, so I would choose this alternative.
6. Consider what the shock of such a plague and the loss of so many people would do to European culture. Relate the plague to other events taking place in
Europe in the 1400s.
The severe loss of people would delay the evolution of European culture by a few
1 (a). Where did the plague begin and spread?
The plague began in Asia and was caused by rats, it was transmitted to humans through the bites of fleas.
1 (b). What two possible causes does Boccaccio suggest for such a terrible event? Boccaccio suggests that the plague started through the influence of heavenly bodies or because of God’s anger for our wicked deeds.
2. How did people behave toward those who were sick? Why?
People who were not affected by the plague completely isolated themselves from the sick. The healthy did not help the sick, so if a person were to become infected they would receive no help and would be left for dead. 3. How did the plague affect city government and laws?
The plague affected city government and laws tremendously because the city leaders were all sick, dead, or trapped in their houses, and without leaders the laws were not enforced, and essentially there was no government. 4. What aspect of people’s behavior seems to shock Boccaccio most?
Boccaccio seems to be most shocked at the fact that parents were abandoning their children if they became infected.
5. What ways of living did people adopt in the face of the plague? Did any of them work better than others? Which, if any, of these alternatives would you choose? People lived in small communities, away from the sick. Some communities drank fine wine and only the best food in moderation, while others drank excessively and ate whenever they desired. I think living in a small community and eating and drinking rationally would work best, because it is most like regular life and would allow food quantities to last longer, so I would choose this alternative.
6. Consider what the shock of such a plague and the loss of so many people would do to European culture. Relate the plague to other events taking place in
Europe in the 1400s.
The severe loss of people would delay the evolution of European culture by a few