In 1346, bubonic plague began to spread through northern Africa and Eurasia. In seven years, it had become the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, killing between 75 and 200 million people. In this episode, we hear from a specialist in medieval literature about the bubonic plague and how artists like Boccaccio and Chaucer documented the horror of the Black Death but also the joy found in art and creation.

Guest:

David Wallace, Judith Rodin Professor of English

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Produced by Susan Ahlborn
Narrated by Alex Schein
Edited by Alex Schein and Brooke Sietinsons
Interview by Susan Ahlborn
Theme music by Nicholas Escobar, C'18
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Francesco Landino's "Ecco la primavera" performed by Hortus Musicus
Illustration and logo by Marina Muun

In These Times is a production of Penn Arts & Sciences. Visit our series website to learn more and listen to the first three seasons of In These Times: web.sas.upenn.edu/in-these-times

Visit our editorial magazine, Omnia, for more content from Penn Arts & Sciences faculty, students, and alumni: omnia.sas.upenn.edu