In 1348, the term 'quarantine' was first recorded in the context of the Black Death in Venice, Italy. Ships arriving from plague-stricken areas were required to anchor for 40 days before passengers could disembark, a practice aimed at controlling the spread of the disease. This public health measure not only reflected the urgent need for disease control but also highlighted the growing understanding of contagion during this period.

The concept of quarantine influenced literary works that dealt with themes of isolation and fear, as seen in the writings of poets like Giovanni Boccaccio, whose 'Decameron' explores the impact of the plague on society. This period of enforced separation would resonate in poetry as a metaphor for emotional and physical isolation.