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Global Pandemic in History

How the rich reacted to the bubonic plague

Kathryn McKinley, a medievalist and Professor of English at UMBC, discusses the eerie similarities in how the rich reacted to the bubonic plague in Boccaccio's The Decameron and the pandemic today. Dr. McKinley writes in The Conversation: "Boccaccio wanted to challenge his readers, and make them think about their responsibilities to others. "The Decameron" raises the questions: How do the rich relate to the poor during times of widespread suffering? What is the value of a life?" 





 

Posted: July 17, 2020, 5:09 PM