Describe the effect on fourteenth-century life and literature of the following (MEG 101 CHAUCER)

Describe the effect on fourteenth-century life and literature of the following: 

I) the Hundred Years' War, 

ii) the Peasants' Revolt, 

iii) the Black Death

I) The Hundred Years' War:

The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was a long and devastating conflict between England and France that had a profound impact on the fourteenth-century life and literature. The war led to widespread destruction and loss of life, as well as significant political and social changes.

In terms of literature, the war inspired a new genre of writing: chivalric romance. These tales of knights, battles, and courtly love were immensely popular, as they provided an escape from the horrors of war and a means of idealizing a lost age of chivalry. Examples of such literature include the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, such as "The Knight's Tale," as well as the anonymous "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."

II) The Peasants' Revolt:

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 was a major uprising of the English peasantry against their feudal overlords. The revolt was triggered by a combination of economic hardship and political discontent, and it ultimately led to significant changes in the social and political structures of England.

The revolt had a significant impact on literature, as it led to a greater emphasis on the lives and experiences of common people. This can be seen in works such as Langland's "Piers Plowman," which portrays the life of a simple plowman and critiques the corrupt practices of the clergy and the nobility.

III) The Black Death:

The Black Death, a devastating pandemic that swept across Europe in the mid-fourteenth century, had a profound impact on the literature and life of the time. The disease wiped out a significant portion of the population, leading to a sense of fear and uncertainty that is reflected in the literature of the period.

Many writers, such as Boccaccio in "The Decameron," turned to stories of death and disease as a way of coping with the trauma of the epidemic. The Black Death also led to significant economic and social changes, as labor shortages led to a greater demand for workers and a weakening of feudal structures.

In terms of literature, the epidemic led to a greater interest in the theme of mortality, as well as a shift towards more realistic depictions of life and suffering. This is seen in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," which includes a range of characters from all walks of life, each with their own experiences of the plague.