Document 3

Social and Economic Effects of the Plague in Europe

The plague had large scale social and economic effects, many of which are recorded in the

introduction of the Decameron. People abandoned their friends and family, fled cities, and shut

themselves off from the world. Funeral rites became perfunctory [superficial] or stopped

altogether, and work ceased being done. Some felt that the wrath of God was descending upon

man, and so fought the plague with prayer. Some felt that they should obey the maxim [saying],

“Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die.” The society experienced an upheaval to

an extent usually only seen in controlled circumstances such as carnival [festival]. Faith in

religion decreased after the plague, both because of the death of so many of the clergy and

because of the failure of prayer to prevent sickness and death.…

Source: “Plague,” Decameron Web, Brown University (adapted)

According to this article, what was one effect of the plague on European society?