Final answer:
Scrofula, known as the King's Evil, is a form of tuberculosis that affects the lymph nodes in the neck. Historically, it was believed that monarchs could cure it by touch, reflecting the intertwining of monarchy, religion, and health in literature and society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scrofula, also known as the King's Evil, refers to a form of tuberculosis that affects the lymph nodes, particularly those in the neck. Historically, it was believed that monarchs possessed a divine power that could cure this disease.
The term "King's Evil" arises from the medieval practice where monarchs would lay hands upon the afflicted in a ceremony, supposedly healing them through their royal touch. Over time, scrofula has been understood as a medical condition requiring medical treatment rather than royal intervention.
In historical texts and poetry, scrofula or the King's Evil has been alluded to symbolically, often reflecting the state of the monarchy or the societal condition. The disease's severity and the desperate hope for a cure from the king may mirror the people's hope for relief from tyranny or social malaise. The disease's reference in various literary works underscored the deep interlinking between monarchy, religion, and health during those times.