What did the Elizabethans believe about witches?

The Elizabethans believed that witches were individuals, often women, who had made a pact with the devil to gain supernatural powers. They were thought to possess the ability to harm others through spells and curses, and their actions were often blamed for misfortunes such as illness and crop failure. This belief led to widespread fear and persecution, with many accused witches facing trials and execution. The era's fascination with witchcraft was reflected in literature and drama, notably in Shakespeare's works.