COVID-19 Has Given Us Time

Physicians in black robes and bird beaked masks offered herbs and quarantine against the Black Plague

TIME ENOUGH AT LAST

By Trevor K. McNeil

Inspiration

“If only I had the time.” It really is funny how many times I have heard this sentiment in terms of creative projects in different versions. There was a dentist who thought he would “try writing” after he “retired.” I guess he knows something I don’t. A far more accurate encapsulation of the creative process is Jack London’s line about the way to get inspiration is to “light out after it with a club.” Most people are staying pretty close to home these days. That can be a benefit, particularly in terms of writing. Many great writers found lockdown the perfect time to write their major work.

A Way To Pass the Time

As genius humorist and infamous gadfly Hunter S. Thompson pointed out “many fine books have been written in prison.” In his case, he wrote under the influence most of the time, so that in itself is a separation from typical responsibilities. One of the very first instances of work produced under lockdown are the epistles (letters) of the Apostle Paul. His letters are some of the most powerful and memorable sections of the New Testament. While not in lockdown the Apostle John is believed to have penned the Book of Revelation-The Apocalypse, while exiled to the Greek island of Patmos.

Classics In the Clink

It does not stop there however, some of the most famous, and infamous, books of the Western Literary Canon were produced under lockdown of the most literal kind. These include titles such as the infamous Justine by the Marquis De Sade, who the king liked to put in prison on regular occasions causing him to spend at least 32 years of his life either in prison or asylums. The Cervantes epic, Don Quixote was drafted during a three month prison sentence. Even the pious John Bunyan penned Pilgrim’s Progress during a 12 year stint of sheltering in place because he refused to stop preaching in public, the rascal.

Going Viral

COVID-19 is, of course, far from the first global pandemic to blight humanity. The historical instance the current crisis most costly resembles, not in terms of deaths but general response was the Black Plague in Europe. Much like now, a deadly plague was spreading like wild fire across the world with countless  deaths per day. Monarchs, religious leaders and doctors often gave baffling, strange and conflicting advice. Images of the time depict doctors dressed in black gowns wearing strange beaked masks offering little more than herbs and quarantine. That didn’t stop Shakespeare though. The Bard of Avon seizing the opportunity for some alone time while on self-imposed lockdown, put quill to parchment. A little play, called King Lear being the result.

Base Numbers

Outside the world of fiction, a later plague was also, indirectly, responsible for the foundation of math and science as we know it. The Great Plague of London went from 1665 to 1666, killing around 100,000 people by the time it was done. Which was a pretty big deal, considering that was a quarter of the population. A situation requiring many to shelter in place and/or lockdown in the comparative safety of the countryside. None other than Sir Isaac Newton was among those affected. During the Great Plague he returned home to Woolsthorpe Manor. A pastoral estate, the grounds of which held the famous apple tree. It was during this period of plague-inspired lockdown that Newton began the preliminary notes that would form the basis of his paradigm changing work in terms of mathematics and science in general.

In the End

Humans are strange creatures. Driven by habit as much as logic. There is good news. Habits can be changed with just a little bit of effort. Refocus and make a few changes to your routine, it may result in great opportunities. It may be scary at first, but it will become easier. One easy thing to do is leave your house less. With COVID-19 that should be easy.

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