Based on the passage provided, the event that the author is describing is the B. the Black Death. The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, was a devastating pandemic that swept through Europe in the 14th century, causing widespread death and societal upheaval.
1. The passage mentions a "sore affliction" that deeply affected people's minds, leading to family members forsaking each other and even parents abandoning their own children. This description aligns with the historical accounts of the Black Death's impact on society, where fear and panic led to breakdowns in familial and social bonds.
2. The Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic that ravaged Europe between 1347 and 1351, causing immense suffering and death. It is estimated to have killed around 25 million people, decimating populations and changing the course of history.
3. The vivid portrayal of people abandoning loved ones out of fear and horror in the passage reflects the chaotic and desperate circumstances that characterized the Black Death, making it a poignant and accurate description of the devastating impact of the pandemic on medieval society.
In conclusion, the passage describes the social and emotional turmoil caused by the Black Death, making it the event that the author is referring to in the text.
