Editing Raphael Holinshed (section)

=== Shakespeare ===
[[William Shakespeare]] used the revised second edition of the ''Chronicles'' (published in 1587) as the source for most of his historical plays, such as [[Richard III (play)|''Richard III'']], the plot of ''[[Macbeth]]'', and portions of ''[[King Lear]]'' and ''[[Cymbeline]]''. According to Alison Taufer, "We care about the ''Holinshed Chronicles'' because Shakespeare read them".{{sfn|Taufer|1999|p=135}} It is because of Shakespeare's writing that the public was educated on many important points in history. While dramatised, the innate messages behind the history are portrayed through the history plays.
* King Lear – ''Holinshed's Chronicles'' goes into depth about Welsh king [[Llŷr]] from the 8th century BCE, which accurately describes the plot of ''King Lear''.  The king's madness is Shakespeare's own creation; the rest of the play follows ''Holinshed's Chronicles'' closely, such as the emphasis on [[Cordelia (King Lear)|Cordelia]]'s love for her father.{{sfn|Holinshed's Chronicles, 1577}} The added dramatics, however, are what make the play an effective popular piece of culture.
* Macbeth – ''Holinshed's Chronicles'' retells the story of [[Duncan I of Scotland|Duncan of Scotland]] and his reign.  It is now believed that [[King Duncan]] is based on a legend rather than an actual king. Holinshed's Duncan is characterized as a weak king with a "soft and gentle nature", while [[Macbeth (character)|Macbeth]] is a cruel leader. Shakespeare, in contrast, gives [[Lady Macbeth]] a larger role in his play and included her sleepwalking habits and suicidal thoughts into his characterisation.{{sfn|Holinshed's Chronicles, 1577}}