Reflection:
Literature is shaped by society – past, present, and future. For my unessay, I knew I wanted to explore more about Medieval society, and I was particularly interested in the Black Plague. I never spent time studying the Black Plague, but it was always referenced in history courses, literature, etc. I wanted to know more about the disease itself and its impact, especially in relation to our current pandemic. How influential was this plague? How did it impact literature and art? As I began to research the topic, I began sorting the information into sub-topics: history of the plague, literature and art, and statistics and science. I quickly came up with the idea of a trivia/card game, as I felt that the information I had and the topics I had found worked well with the general rules of trivia. In the game I created, the cards are divided into categories with questions that match, and each player is tasked with answering a question based on their spin (what category the spinner lands on).
Literature matters as it is a representation of ideas and philosophies of the time. Literature, such as the work by Marie de France and Beowulf, is heavily influenced by society at the time. Religion, social concerns, war, fears, etc. are all reflected in literature. Beowulf, Bisclarvet, Lanval, and Chevrefoil discuss ideas of mystical creatures, religion, and monarchy, which are all aspects heavily influenced by medieval society. Religion and monarchial government were some of the most important ruling entities in this society, and therefore, a topic in many of these stories.
Just as religion and monarchial ideals are apparent in Beowulf, Bisclarvet, Lanval, and Chevrefoil, societal implications related to the Black Plague hold influence in literature as well. Society was largely influenced by the plague – over the course of five years, twenty million people died. The plague, therefore, influenced everyday activities and interactions. Art and literature became heavily influenced by these changes and worries, and it became an outlet for people to share those concerns and discuss the current state of society.
Literature matters as it holds the history of a time period. The worries, struggles, and daily concerns faced by those during the Black Plague are displayed in works such as Historia de Morbe and “Piers Plowman”. Although hundreds of years old, they still share the history of the plague. Writers, poets, and painters from the time period may no longer be alive, but their work still tells their story today.
Sprockets and Springes 