If Shakespeare had used Holinshed's version of Macbeth, the play would have been significantly different. Holinshed's account is a straightforward historical narrative, lacking the dramatic elements that Shakespeare added to the play. Here are some key differences that likely would have resulted:
1. Lack of character development: Holinshed's Macbeth lacks the depth and complexity of Shakespeare's Macbeth. While Holinshed portrays Macbeth as a ruthless tyrant, he does not delve into the character's motivations or psychology.
2. Lack of supernatural elements: Holinshed's account of Macbeth does not include the witches or other supernatural elements that Shakespeare added to the play. Without these elements, the play would lose much of its eerie atmosphere and sense of foreboding.
3. Historical accuracy: While Shakespeare's Macbeth takes many liberties with historical fact, it still captures the essence of medieval Scotland and the brutal struggles for power that took place at the time. Holinshed's version, being a historical narrative, would have been more historically accurate but less engaging dramatically.
Overall, if Shakespeare had used Holinshed's Macbeth, the play would have been less complex, less engaging, and less memorable.