When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth he relied primarily on a historical work of the time called the Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Written in 1573 and organized by Raphael Holinshed, Holinshed’s Chronicles was originally meant to be a global map and history but was changed to just be the history of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Historians all agree that Macbeth is based on the information in the Chronicles. Shakespeare's version of Macbeth appears to be much the same as the Macbeth in the Chronicles. When we first learn of Macbeth in Macbeth, It is through the Captain, who refers to him as “brave Macbeth,” and as a proof to that says that when he was fighting Mackdonwald he “unseam’d him from the nave to th’ chops/ and fixed
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Shakespeare also embellished Macbeth's reaction to Malcolm being appointed successor. In Holinshed’s Chronicles, it describes Macbeth as being “troubled herewith, for that he saw by this means his hope sore hindered.” In Macbeth, he exhibits the same reaction, saying “ that is a step/On which I must fall down/ or else o'erleap/ For in my way it lies.” Both of these passages are Macbeth being troubled because his hopes are being delayed. However, Shakespeare's version has Macbeth still thinking that the witches’ “magic” will help him bypass this …show more content…
The Chronicles have Macbeth Kill Duncan immediately after taking counsel, Situate himself as king, and then proceeds to talk about the details of his reign, as a history book should. Shakespeare, instead of having Macbeth discuss his monarchy, turns it into a drama of sorts, dealing with Macbeth’s plunge into insanity. While there are many more examples of how Shakespeare dramatized the character Macbeth, these ones best show the ways that he changed him, specifically in making him more impressive, and then later more terrible.
Perhaps the most recognizable example in how Shakespeare paralleled and altered Holinshed’s Chronicles is with the Character of Banquo. Shakespeare presents him as a wise and brave, yet cautious man. This is shown in several places, however the scene with the first prophecies show how Shakespeare altered Holinshed’s Banquo to make it so. When the Weird Sisters give Macbeth prophecies but not Banquo, Shakespeare has Banquo eloquently say “If you can look into the seeds of time/And say which grain will grow and which will not/
Shakespeare also embellished Macbeth's reaction to Malcolm being appointed successor. In Holinshed’s Chronicles, it describes Macbeth as being “troubled herewith, for that he saw by this means his hope sore hindered.” In Macbeth, he exhibits the same reaction, saying “ that is a step/On which I must fall down/ or else o'erleap/ For in my way it lies.” Both of these passages are Macbeth being troubled because his hopes are being delayed. However, Shakespeare's version has Macbeth still thinking that the witches’ “magic” will help him bypass this …show more content…
The Chronicles have Macbeth Kill Duncan immediately after taking counsel, Situate himself as king, and then proceeds to talk about the details of his reign, as a history book should. Shakespeare, instead of having Macbeth discuss his monarchy, turns it into a drama of sorts, dealing with Macbeth’s plunge into insanity. While there are many more examples of how Shakespeare dramatized the character Macbeth, these ones best show the ways that he changed him, specifically in making him more impressive, and then later more terrible.
Perhaps the most recognizable example in how Shakespeare paralleled and altered Holinshed’s Chronicles is with the Character of Banquo. Shakespeare presents him as a wise and brave, yet cautious man. This is shown in several places, however the scene with the first prophecies show how Shakespeare altered Holinshed’s Banquo to make it so. When the Weird Sisters give Macbeth prophecies but not Banquo, Shakespeare has Banquo eloquently say “If you can look into the seeds of time/And say which grain will grow and which will not/