In the early 17th century around 1600, public dissections of executed criminals' bodies became a common spectacle in European anatomy theaters, particularly in Italy and later across the continent. These events combined medical education with public entertainment, drawing large crowds to witness anatomists like those influenced by Vesalius reveal the inner workings of the human body. Such practices advanced anatomical knowledge significantly while serving as a grim extension of criminal punishment, fostering greater understanding of human physiology that influenced science, medicine, and even cultural views on mortality.

Public dissection post-execution in anatomy theaters around 1600 significantly influenced metaphysical and scientific poetry, particularly regarding themes of body, soul, and mortality. Poets like John Donne explored the intersection of science and spirituality, grappling with the implications of such practices on human existence.