Macbeth on Trial
Imagine that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are arrested after the murder of King Duncan. As a class you are going to discuss the verdict of the trial.
1) Macbeth (1) – Jason Ngo
2) Lady Macbeth (1) – Cass
3) Defence lawyer for Macbeth (3) – Gary, Calvin, Misha
4) Defence lawyer for Lady Macbeth (3) – Thomas, Phyllica, Eunice
5) Prosecution lawyer against Macbeth (3) – Joseph, Vivian, Pavan
6) Prosecution lawyer against Lady Macbeth (3) – Stella, Alex, Henry
7) Jury (6) – Oscar, Harry, Randall, Justine, Romeo, Andrew,
8) Media (4 or 5) – Kyle, Cedric, Vienna, Angel, Muneeza, Susanna
9) Witnesses – Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, the witches,Banquo (2) – Carmen – Witches Punam - Banquo
All the people who have the same character on their cards should form a group. Work together to decide what to say and what to ask the accused at the trial. There are points to help you on your card.
After all the characters have spoken the jury must make their decision and hand it in to the judge who will pronounce the verdict.
Marking
All groups will be marked on oral and written portions. Refer to each of your group’s particular instructions for what is expected for the written portion. Make sure that your group answers the questions in your oral portion.
Macbeth Defence Attorneys
You will be defending Macbeth by trying to create doubt about his competence or his actual guilt. You will collect evidence and write a closing argument addressed to the judge and jury to try to persuade them that Macbeth was (or is) insane. Or perhaps you might argue that Macbeth was a dupe of fate or a victim of others. Perhaps you could argue for a lesser charge than murder. You will compile a list of witnesses you will question and the specific questions you wish to ask--contingency plans need to be formulated based on their possible responses
a) What kind of man was he before the murder?
b) What kind of reputation did he have before the murder.
c) Did anyone put strong pressure on him to do the murder?
d) How did they do this?
e) Was he in his right mind?
f) Did he find it easy to murder Duncan?
g) Did he show any regret for killing Duncan?
Consider the following:
1Does the supernatural compromise or undermine Macbeth's free will?
2Examine Macbeth's motivation - he has been well rewarded and he understands the consequences of his actions, so why then does he commit regicide?
3Insanity is a major theme of Macbeth, consider its legal and moral relevance.
Macbeth Prosecution Attorneys
You will try to persuade the jury that the defendant must be held accountable for their actions. You will work closely with the witness to create your trial strategy. Try to think ahead as to the approach that the defence is going to take - will it be insanity, maybe a plea for a lesser charge? You will want to have a solid witness base before the trial. They will be key for your success. You will collect evidence and write a closing argument addressed to the judge and jury to try to persuade them that Macbeth is guilty.
You must show that Macbeth deserves a heavy sentence. Consider these points:
- Macbeth commits the murder out of pure ambition.
- Macbeth is too easily persuaded by his wife.
- Macbeth lets the forces of evil lead him astray and takes the witches' predictions as the truth.
- Macbeth's hallucinations and dreams show that he has regrets but in reality he is a cold blooded killer.
- Does Macbeth act in premeditated fashion?
Defence Attorneys for Lady Macbeth
You will be defending Lady Macbeth by trying to create doubt about her competence or her actual guilt. You will collect evidence and write a closing argument addressed to the judge and jury to try to persuade them that Lady Macbeth was (or is) insane. Or perhaps you might argue that Lady Macbeth was a dupe of fate or a victim of others. Perhaps you could argue for a lesser charge than murder one. You will compile a list of witnesses you will question and the specific questions you wish to ask--contingency plans need to be formulated based on their possible responses.
Lady Macbeth will plead not guilty. You must show that she is innocent and did not do the killing.
a) She did not actually do the murder.
b) Macbeth alone was driven by evil spirits
c) Macbeth was ambitious.
Your client may be hard to defend. She could try to show that she was mad. Look back through the play and find quotes to support your reasons.
Prosecution Lawyers for Lady Macbeth
You will be the prosecuting attorneys. You will try to persuade the jury that Lady Macbeth must be held accountable for her crimes. The defence will assert that she was simply complicit in her powerful husband’s wishes, but you must show that she was the criminal mastermind behind it all. You will compile a list of witnesses you will question and the specific questions you wish to ask--contingency plans need to be formulated based on their possible responses.
You must show that Lady Macbeth is guilty and deserves a heavy sentence, even though she did not actually kill King Duncan. Consider these points:
a) Did Lady Macbeth suggest murder to her husband?
b) Did she put pressure on Macbeth to commit the murder?
c) Did she actually plan the murder?
d) Did she actually help Macbeth to carry out the murder.
f) Did she help with the cover up?
g) What were her feelings afterwards?
Look back through the play and find quotes to support your reasons.
Macbeth
You will be portraying Macbeth on trial. You will be subject to questioning and cross-examination from the prosecution and the defence. You will work to compile a list of quotations (minimum of 10 quotes) that can be used in your defence--these quotes may be from yourself or from others--thus proving your own innocence.
You will plead guilty at the trial, but you want to get a lighter sentence. Consider these points:
a) What sort of man were you before the murder?
b) Did your wife put a lot of pressure on you?
c) Did you get led astray by the forces of evil (witches)?
d) Did you find it easy to murder?
e) Do you feel sorry for what you have done?
What other reasons can you think of for getting a lighter sentence? Look back through the play and find quotes to support your reasons.
Lady Macbeth
You will be portraying Lady Macbeth on trial. You will be subject to questioning and cross-examination from the prosecution and the defence. You and your group will work to compile a list of quotations (minimum of 10 quotes) that can be used in your defence--these quotes may be from yourself or from others--thus proving your own innocence.
You will plead not guilty at the trial. However, the prosecution wants to show you deserve a heavy sentence. He or she may put these points to you.
a) That you suggested the murder.
b) That you put pressure on Macbeth to do the murder.
c) That you helped plan the murder and covered it up.
Think how you can defend yourself. Look back through the play and find quotes to support your reasons.
Witnesses - Duncan, Banquo, Witches (3)
Each of you will be portraying the above mentioned witnesses on trial. Decide who will be who. You will be subject to questioning and cross-examination from the prosecution and the defence. You and your group will work to compile a list of quotations (minimum of 10 quotes per character) that can be used in your defence--these quotes may be from yourself or from others--thus proving your own innocence.
You must be prepared to either proclaim innocence or prove guilt. You will be called upon to examine your own role in the crimes committed. Research your part in the murders and work with your team to formulate the questions that you will be asked when you are called. Be prepared and anticipate your cross examination.
Jury
Your role will be to take notes during the trail and assess the evidence provided. Your notes will be submitted to the judge after the trial. You will then confer as a group to make a decision as to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s guilt. They will be tried separately so must make a decision for each. In the prep class you can help the media group and start to prepare your note strategy. You also must present your decision to the class and be prepared to answer questions from the judge.
Media
Your role will be to interview at least five people for the trial and write and create a newspaper (two or more articles) and image about the trial. You will present your newspaper to the class after the trial.
What Questions do I ask??
In working on your approach for the trial, try to keep in mind these strategies for your case.
•Keep questions simple
•Ask a series of short questions rather than a long, complicated one
•Use the text as your most compelling evidence
•Anticipate the cross examination
•Limit number of witnesses to four for each side
•Limit the amount of time per person (10 minutes for questioning, 10 for cross-examination, 2 for rebuttal)
•Closing arguments are limited to 5 minutes
•Each team can recall a witness at the end of trial
•Teams can confer with one minute timeouts, but have a limit of 5 per side
Macbeth on Trial
Lady Macbeth on Trial
Exceeds Expectations4 / Fully Meets Expectations
3 / Minimally Meets Expectations
2 / Does not Meet Expectations
1 / Score
Quality of Argument and Application of Information
x2 / Examples and references are well chosen to best demonstrate argument. All points are well supported.Answered the questions accurately. / References support the main point. Research is used to support argument. Main points are adequately convincing. / References are somewhat connected to research or the reading. Arguments are random and unconvincing. / Information is not based on research or book or is unrelated to the main points. / /8
Quality of Examples / Presentation uses quotations and examples (with page references so the jury can follow along). Examples are applied to the main points. Shows insight to the argument / Presentation uses quotations and examples that connect to the main point. The information shows how actions in the reading contribute to the decision / Presentation includes few references to the text. Attempts to connect actions of the character to the issues or the trial are awkward or unconvincing. / Presentation includes no references to the text. Group speaks in generalizations about issues disconnected from the reading / /4
Delivery and Presentation / Speaker makes frequent eye contact with the jury. Volume and pace reflect intensity of main points. Movement and gestures add emphasis to main points. / Speaker uses notes but maintains eye contact with the jury. Volume and pace are consistent with main points. Gestures and movement are used hesitantly. / Speaker uses note cards to avoid making eye contact. Volume and pace are difficult to follow. Movements are not related to speech and reflect nervousness. / Speaker never looks up, cannot be heard, moves nervously, or stands rooted to one spot. / /4
Total: /20