Movies News Talk
Set in Black Plague-torn 14th-century Italy, the Netflix series The Decameron explores Giovanni Bocaccio's short stories under the same name form the foundation of the show. Thought to have started the narrative in 1348, a year following the epidemic's arrival into Europe, Boccaccio finished it in 1353. The Decameron centers on young people fleeing the Black Death seeking cover in a villa. Though the central idea of a group escaping the plague stays the same, the show combines fresh characters and narratives with aspects from the original tales.
The Decameron fairly depicts the widespread and fatal character of the 14th-century plague. Although the show doesn't hold back when depicting the tragedy of the time, it mostly employs comedy to forward its narrative. From their daily lives to their opinions of the Black Death, the show depicts how the epidemic affected common people. Although some show characters are more lucky than others, everyone has lost someone to the epidemic. The Black Death's presence cannot be totally avoided by the people even at Villa Santa.
Usually affecting rats, the bacterial infection known as the Black Plague—also known as the Bubonic Plague—is transmitted by fleas living on rodents. Swelled lymph nodes, fever, chills, and weakness define the illness. Left untreated, it can be fatal and is rather contagious. About 30–60% of Europe's population is thought to have perished during the Black Death epidemic of the 14th century.
Usually living on rats, fleas carried the Black Plague. The fleas would hunt out other hosts, including humans, when sickened rats passed away. Then, by their bites, the fleas would spread the bacteria to people. The plague might also be passed on by coming into touch with sick people or their bodily fluids.
Usually in the groin, armpit, or neck, a swollen lymph node—known as a bubo—is the most often occurring symptom of the Bubonic Plague. Additional complaints include fever, chills, headache, weakness, and muscular aches. The plague can also advance to a more severe form called septicemic plague, which can cause internal organs to bleed under the skin.
The Black Plague had no known cure in the fourteenth century. Many doctors depended on therapies grounded in superstition and false knowledge. Among the most often used treatments were bloodletting, cleansing, and poulticing the buboes. Many times, these treatments did more harm than benefit, and occasionally they helped the disease proliferate.
For society, the Black Plague had terrible effects. It caused a general population drop, disrupted trade and industry, and lowered agricultural output. The plague also fueled social discontent and a growth in religious fervor. In some places the plague brought about the fall of political and social order.
Society changed permanently with the Black Plague. It changed labor relations since the demand for workers rose once the population dropped dramatically. Seeking to stop next pandemics, the plague also drove developments in public health, sanitation, and medicine. The Black Death also had a major influence on religious ideas and practices, so stressing death, illness, and mortality.