In 1337, the early signs of the Black Death began to emerge in Europe, with outbreaks reported in various regions, including Italy and France. This devastating pandemic would ultimately reshape European society, leading to significant population loss and social upheaval. The impact of the Black Death on culture and literature would be profound, as poets and writers grappled with themes of mortality and despair.

The Black Death profoundly influenced poetry and literature, as writers began to explore themes of death, loss, and the fragility of life. Poets like Geoffrey Chaucer would later reflect on the societal changes brought about by the plague in works such as 'The Canterbury Tales,' which captured the complexities of human experience in a time of crisis.