By 1371, the Black Death had already devastated Europe, but its effects continued to shape society, culture, and economy. The pandemic led to significant population decline, altering labor dynamics and social structures across regions, including England and Italy. This period saw a shift in attitudes towards life, death, and spirituality, as communities grappled with loss and change.

The aftermath of the Black Death profoundly influenced poets and writers, who began to explore themes of mortality, despair, and the fragility of life in their works. The writings of poets like Petrarch and Boccaccio reflected the societal shifts and existential questions raised by the plague. This literary response contributed to the development of humanism and the exploration of individual experience in poetry.