In Shakespeare‘s time, many people deeply believed in
the power and influence of superstition, the power of magic, and in
―other-worldly‖ creatures, such as ghosts and witches. When strange or
unexplainable things would happen in the Elizabethan era, many attributed these
happenings to the influence of the supernatural, whereas today, we would likely
be able to explain things scientifically.
Those in Shakespeare‘s time also whole heartedly
believed in superstition. It was believed to be bad luck if they walked under a
ladder. According to beliefs of the time, the ladder leaning against a wall was
representative of the Holy Trinity. Walking under the ladder was considered
breaking the Trinity, and tantamount to blaspheming God. Another strong
superstition involved sneezing. If a person opened their mouth to sneeze, this
was considered an entry point by which the devil could enter one‘s body. Saying
God bless you‖ protected the sneezing person from the devil‘s breach.
Elizabethans also believed that if you stirred a pot counter-clockwise, the
contents of the pot would be poisoned, and could bring bad luck to everyone who
ate the food.
Bad luck could also be brought upon a person by
possessing a peacock feather, crossing the path of a black cat, spilling salt,
or leaving a door open. Conversely, touching the hand of a prisoner who was
about to be hanged, a cow‘s breath, or spitting into a fire could bring good
luck as could iron, silver, fire, salt, and running water.
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