In 1232, the first mechanical clocks began to appear in European cities, significantly changing how time was measured and perceived. This innovation, which likely originated in Italy, allowed for more precise scheduling of daily activities and events. The mechanical clock's introduction marked a shift towards a more structured society, influencing everything from work hours to literary pursuits, as poets and writers began to reflect on the nature of time in their works.

The emergence of mechanical clocks inspired poets to explore themes of time and its passage in their writings. Notable figures such as Dante Alighieri later incorporated these themes into their poetry, contemplating the human experience in relation to time. This shift in timekeeping also influenced the structure of poetry, as poets began to experiment with meter and rhythm, paralleling the newfound precision in measuring time.