How did the plague affect moral fiber of society following in Italian chronicle?

Effects on Moral Fiber

During the height of the plague, Italy experienced profound changes in the social and moral fabric of its society. The following chronicle from an unknown Italian author during that period provides insights into the state of moral fiber at that time:

>_"Many held in contempt the reverence usually offered to the Church and its ministers. They despised the venerable sacraments and the ceremonies of divine worship. All ecclesiastical modesty was abandoned, the churches were closed, the altars were stripped bare, and the relics of the saints were profaned. Neither was the authority of the magistrates held in respect, neither laws, nor judgments, nor penalties. Each person did what was right in their own eyes, whether male or female, serf or lord. Everywhere was there plunder, everywhere rapine, everywhere hatred, everywhere the cry of violence. Human society seemed shaken from its foundation._"

The above passage reveals the collapse of social norms and values during the plague, with disregard for religious practices and institutions, disrespect towards authority, and a breakdown in law and order. People succumbed to their own selfish desires and acted with impunity.

The plague brought fear, desperation, and a loss of faith in traditional structures that usually provided moral guidance. The psychological and emotional upheaval of the pandemic eroded moral restraints, leading to increased social unrest and moral decay.

The absence of reliable systems for enforcing laws and preserving order allowed for a decline in moral principles and a surge in immoral behavior. In the face of widespread death and suffering, some people chose to indulge in hedonistic pursuits and engage in acts that would normally be considered unethical or socially unacceptable.