Routledge - Pestilence in Medieval and Early Modern Literature

Explore the historical connection between disease and morality in this scholarly work from Routledge. Pestilence in Medieval and Early Modern English Literature examines how leprosy, bubonic plague, and syphilis were understood during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Before the scientific understanding of contagion, doctors and priests interpreted epidemic diseases through a moral lens. This book investigates how these figures viewed sickness as a divine punishment for human sin. By studying how different authors and religious figures read specific illnesses, the text reveals how social consequences and religious interpretations shaped the human experience of disease. This volume is a significant addition to the Studies in Medieval History and Culture series. It provides a deep look into how medical and spiritual authorities attempted to connect physical suffering with spiritual transgression. It is an essential resource for students and researchers interested in the history of medicine, social history, and English literature.