The Black Death and its Influence on the Renaissance Essay Example

The Bubonic Plague most commonly known as “The Black Death” was known for decreasing Europe’s Population by a third or more but I believe it should be known more for paving the way for the Renaissance. The devastation the Bubonic Plague unleashed caused a crisis of faith in the Catholic Church and a more secular approach to life, a labor shortage that ultimately spelled the end of the Fuedal Social Structures, and a search for answers in science and medicine. These dramatic changes opened the door to social mobility, freer expressions of individualism, the Scientific Revolution and a number of other social, economic and political changes made the Renaissance possible. Without the Bubonic Plague, there would’ve been no Renaissance. 

At the time of the pandemic, the social and economic systems of Europe were feudalistic. Noble landlords provided protection and land use for peasants in exchange for work. Peasants from these regions were mainly serfs, confined to small manorial estates, and subject to landlords. There were 12 social classes, and as a result, there was a large divide between the rich and the poor. Europe during this period was largely dominated by religion, primarily Catholicism. Bibles were only available in Latin and people had to rely on clergy to understand them. Whether something was good or bad, anything outside of human control was deemed divine. Churches were often turned to for advice, healing, and guidance, although Martin Luther stated that the churches were frauds and exposed them for not having spiritual powers or the ability to save/heal souls. The Bubonic Plague led to the downfall of feudalism because there were fewer workers due to them dying to the plague which caused inflation and serfs started to demand higher wages from nobles.

One social class that was greatly affected by the Bubonic Plague was the nobles. This was the case in many other parts of European regions and kingdoms. The Nobles suffered just as much as the other social classes during the epidemic. The aftermath of the Black Death left many nobles in financial problems. “The loss of population meant no longer a high demand for their land, and rents fells” As the aristocracies vanished, many noblemen had to sell their estates and serfs to urban merchants. A large number of their laborers left their farms without being replaced. A new elite made up of merchants and self-made men emerged with the destruction of the traditional elite. In spite of their humble origins and lack of birth, they patronized the arts. To compensate for the lack of traditional authority, they were eager to use art and support scholars. To appear on par with the old aristocracy, they sought to support artists who would be popular with the public.  

One reason for the de Medicis' lavish patronage in Florence was this. They were enthusiastic supporters of the arts in order to demonstrate their social standing and impress the general public. This meant that the great artists had a plethora of patrons who frequently competed for their talents, allowing them to focus on their art and produce some of the greatest art ever known. Art pieces like the Mona Lisa, The last supper, the creation of adam, the school of Athens, etc. If it weren’t for the Bubonic Plague there would have been no Renaissance and those famous art pieces would’ve never been painted. 

During the time of the Black Death epidemic people in Europe were constantly surrounded by death as thousands of people died everyday. This led to people having a fascination to the idea of death. People in Europe began to paint about the plague and people dying, these paintings would be called plague art. I believe this was a step towards the Renaissance. The Black Death sigifincally affected Europe’s culture, idea of death and religion. This is why many artisits during the plague tried to capture these horrible times of the epidemic with paintings. The Dance of Death (Danse Macabre) is a perfect example of Plague Art, it was apart of a film. “Clusone’s Dance of Death is a part of The Triumph of Death scene. As they walk with skeletons towards the fatal dance of death, the film shows several characters from different social classes. In The Triumph of Death Death itself is represented as a crowned skeleton queen swinging scrolls in both her hands. She has two fellow skeletons at her sides killing people with a bow and an ancient arquebus. Around her a group of powerful but desperate people are offering valuables and begging for mercy. Death is not interested in their mundane wealth however, she only wants their lives.” Realism was strengthened by the Black Death. Heaven seemed far and away as the fear of hell grew more real. There was a sense of urgency in the hearts of both the poor and the rich to ensure their salvation. Education and wealth did not allow rich men and women to neglect planning a bona mors (a good death), or at least a sumptuous memorial and burial, if that was not possible. The trauma of the Black Death gave rise to the most popular artistic channel for the representation of death. I believe that this change in art/painting as a result of the Black Death, would carry on to make the Renaissance possible

Considering all of the facts, In the middle of the 14th century, the Black Death ravaged Italian  society. It resulted in significant socioeconomic, cultural, and religious changes. Following the initial horrors of the plague, Italian society recovered spectacularly. Italy became wealthier than it had previously been. As a result of the plague's impact, the Catholic Church's influence diminished, and the culture became more secular. Individualism came to be respected as a result of the new social mobility. The Black Death sparked the forces in Italian society that allowed the Renaissance to take place.