Macbeth+Project+-++Trial+Assignment

=Macbeth Project= Back to Table of Contents

Putting the Macbeths on Trial Controversy has broken out in limbo: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth aspire to heaven yet the ghosts of Duncan, Banquo, Lady MacDuff, and MacDuff’s son float in stern opposition. The Macbeths have offended God and Nature by conspiring to commit and committing the assassination of the rightful ruler of the realm, the murders of honored lords and ladies and infanticide; usurping the throne; ignoring the plight of the people of the realm; attempting to dismantle the Great Chain of Being; and for one, suicide. These facts are incontrovertible: there is no debate about them. They’re thus being hauled before the court with two charges leveled against them severally: 1) Forgiveness of these individuals poses a threat to public morality. 2) They are dangers to cosmic order. You will be assigned one of the below roles. All speeches and statements will be 1 beefy paragraph and are to be turned in on the project wiki the day of their presentation.

__Roles:__
//** Sign up by noon Sunday 2/10 by following the link to the GoogleDoc (provided just to students) or have it assigned by the Chief Justice. **//


 * JUDGE (1): After the verdict has been presented, the judge will prepare a 1 paragraph sentencing statement that discusses the nature of the crime and the suitability of the sentence. The judge should recognize his/her role as a moral leader in the community, so in the process of making a judgment, the judge should also communicate values that the society needs to uphold.

> Each attorney must prepare a one-to-two paragraph speech. The prosecuting attorney’s opening statement should define what Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are each guilty of doing, and explain why their crime deserve punishment. The defense attorney’s opening statement should address why the alleged “crime” doesn’t deserve eternal punishment. Both attorneys should present an overview of the evidence so that the jury begins to feel inclined to either condemn or acquit her. Both attorneys are responsible for cross-examination questions as well.
 * ATTORNEYS (2): prosecuting and defense attorneys

> Each must write a 1 paragraph defense of him/herself, explaining why his/her actions are justified and do not constitute a crime. Sound like the character in the way you speak, in modern or Shakespearean language.
 * DEFENDANTS (2): Macbeth & Lady Macbeth


 * WITNESSES (8): Each witness must prepare a 1 paragraph opening statement that he or she will present to the jury; these statements should reflect your take on the accused and their “crimes.” Do you support her? Condemn her? A bit of both? What you say must be truthful, but you have a bias, most likely, and this bias must be evident. In addition, you should remain in character throughout—using the language of your character, in modern or Shakespearean speech.
 * Duncan
 * Malcolm
 * Banquo
 * Murderer
 * MacDuff or Lady MacDuff
 * Weird Sister
 * Gentlewoman or Doctor


 * JURY MEMBERS (G block, 6): The jury as a whole must reach a decision about each defendant’s guilt separately. With less than a ⅔ decision, the jury is a “hung” jury and the defendant goes free. One member of the jury should serve as foreperson, presenting the verdict to the court. After the conclusion of the trial and the reading of the verdict, each jury member is to write his or her own 1 paragraph evaluation of the trial; in doing so, you should assume a distinct point of view. Is your character a farmer, servant, merchant, noble? Each jury member’s own opinions must appear along with the verdict and reason for it that the jury presents. You should address evidence or argumentation that was especially convincing and justify your position.


 * COURT REPORTER (1): After the verdict has been presented, the court reporter will prepare a 1 paragraph journalistic statement that discusses the nature of the crime, the charges, the proceedings, the verdict, and the sentence. The reporter should recognize his/her role as a dispassionate voice in the community. The reporter should also get across the visual spectacle of the trial through language since photography has been prohibited in the court room.