In Shakespeare's time, people would have explained bad weather using a combination of scientific, religious, and superstitious beliefs. The understanding of weather during the Elizabethan era was influenced by the prevailing knowledge of that time.
1. **Natural Explanations:** People in Shakespeare's time had some basic understanding of natural phenomena, including weather patterns. They might have attributed bad weather to atmospheric conditions, seasonal changes, and the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. However, their scientific knowledge was limited compared to modern understanding.
2. **Religious Explanations:** Religious beliefs played a significant role in how people interpreted natural events, including bad weather. Some would have seen severe weather as a sign of God's anger or punishment for human sins or transgressions. It was not uncommon for people to view extreme weather events as divine retribution.
3. **Superstitions and Omens:** Superstitions were prevalent in Shakespeare's time, and people often associated bad weather with ominous signs and superstitions. They might have believed that storms, lightning, or other unusual weather occurrences were linked to bad luck, impending disasters, or supernatural forces.
4. **Astrology:** Astrology, the belief in a connection between celestial movements and events on Earth, was widespread during this period. Some people might have attributed bad weather to the alignment of planets and stars, believing that celestial events influenced earthly phenomena.
5. **Folklore and Myths:** Folklore and myths were common in explaining various aspects of life, including weather phenomena. People might have recounted stories or myths involving gods, mythical creatures, or legendary figures associated with weather elements like storms, winds, or rain.
It's essential to recognize that explanations for bad weather during Shakespeare's time were a mix of scientific understanding, religious beliefs, superstitions, and cultural traditions. As the scientific understanding of weather and meteorology evolved over time, explanations for natural phenomena became more rooted in observable evidence and empirical knowledge.