The character of Macbeth has been portrayed differently in Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland and in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Although there are some similarities between the two depictions, there are also notable differences.
One similarity between the depictions of Macbeth in the two works is that he is initially depicted as a brave and honorable soldier. In Chronicles, Macbeth is described as "a valiant gentleman and very valiant captain," similar to Shakespeare's portrayal of Macbeth as "brave Macbeth" before his downfall. Both works show that Macbeth is a respected figure in society and has gained his status through his military prowess.
However, a major difference between the two depictions is the degree to which Macbeth is influenced by Lady Macbeth. In the Chronicles, Lady Macbeth is a minor character and does not play a significant role in Macbeth's decision to murder Duncan. In contrast, Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth is a central character who actively encourages and manipulates Macbeth into committing regicide. This difference in the portrayal of Lady Macbeth highlights the influence of Shakespeare's own creative vision on the original source material.
Another difference between the two depictions is the extent to which Macbeth is shown to feel remorse after his actions. In Chronicles, there is no explicit indication that Macbeth feels guilty for his actions, while in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth is depicted as being tormented by guilt and unable to find peace. For example, in Act 5, Scene 5, Macbeth laments that "life's but a walking shadow, a poor player/That struts and frets his hour upon the stage/And then is heard no more." This passage shows that Macbeth is consumed by his guilt and tormented by his own mortality.
In conclusion, while both Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland and Shakespeare's Macbeth depict Macbeth as a brave and respected figure, there are notable differences in the way the two works portray his character. Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth is a more central and influential character than her counterpart in the Chronicles, while Shakespeare's Macbeth is shown to be consumed by guilt in a way that is not present in Holinshed's original work. These differences highlight the unique perspectives and creative visions of the two authors.