HamletMockTrial 1

Hamlet Mock Trial
Here’s the basic situation: you will be putting Hamlet on trial to determine whether or not he is
sane or insane. Because if he is really sane, then he must answer for his crimes of killing Laertes,
Polonius, and Claudius (and to some extent, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern). If he is
found insane, he will not answer for these crimes. There will be a group for the prosecution, the
defense, the jury, a group acting as Hamlet, and a group acting as additional witnesses who can
be called upon by either side. Your groups are listed below.
PROSECUTION DEFENSE
HAMLET WITNESSES
JURORS
Hamlet Mock Trial
PROSECUTION
As the prosecution for this case, it will be your job to prove – without a reasonable doubt
– Hamlet’s sanity to the jury, so that he will answer for his crimes (punishable by death). You
will need to divide the work equitably.
Your group will be responsible for opening and closing statements, and the interrogation
and cross-examination of both Hamlet and the other witnesses. During trial you will be permitted
notes, one computer to be used for displaying your opening argument video and power point
presentation, and your copy of the play (must be the Norton Critical Edition). All line and page
references must be from the authorized copy of the play. Upon completion of the trial, you must
submit your presentation to me for grading purposes. For questions on how you will be graded,
please see the attached rubric for guidelines.
Team Captain – This person is responsible for making sure all team members are on task, that
work is divided equitably, and must report the group’s progress. Further, it is the Captain’s job to
ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. This is the go-to person for your group. In the event
that you will not be here (you fall ill suddenly etc.), you will contact the Captain.
Video – In every trial there is something called an opening statement in which both sides present
a brief synopsis of their case. Your group will write a script for the opening statement, and it will
be filmed. This film will be shown to the court to begin the trial. Your video should be 2-3
minutes in length. Only one of you needs to deliver the opening statement in the video. You
should review the video several times ahead of time to ensure that everything plays properly, and
that none of your software needs to be updated.
Presentation – You will need to put together a presentation to be used during each interrogation.
You will use this presentation primarily to make visible quotes from the play you wish to use as
evidence. You may, however, also include questions, claims, conclusions, etc. You are creating
an argument – so use the visual rhetoric to your advantage.
You should plan to put the bulk of your emphasis on the initial examination of witnesses. Cross-
examination should be done only for clarification purposes.
After both sides make their opening statements, the prosecution gets to call witnesses. You will
devise a strategy of proving Hamlet’s sanity through questioning these witnesses. You may
object to something the other side says – a quick trip through google will help you with that. The
witnesses available to you are: Hamlet, Ophelia, Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (must
appear together), Polonius, and Gertrude. You must call Hamlet to the stand. Beyond that, you
must choose 3 of the remaining 5 witnesses to question. Your team captain must tell me who
will be called for questioning before leaving today. You will have approximately 25 minutes
to complete all questioning.
Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric – PROSECUTION
20 12 9 0
Participation Student visibly Student’s level Student’s Student

participates fully of participation participation flagrantly and
and actively. may not be level is not visibly does not
Hamlet Mock Trial
Student is visibly consistent. acceptable. May participate or

engaged in the Student may be be found to be help their group
activity at all times. found to misuse misusing at all. May be
Student is not technology technology found to misuse
misusing during some part during one, technology
technology during of the testing some, or all parts during one,
group work or process. of the testing some, or all
during the trial, but process. parts of the
is visibly attentive. testing process.
Video/ Video meets all Video may not Video is Video is absent.
Opening minimum meet all of the deficient in some
Argument requirements but is requirements, or major way,
also especially well may be of a either in the
made. quality that is writing,
less than delivery, or
satisfactory. overall quality.
Trial Student works Student’s Student’s level Student’s body

Performance actively to help their activity level of awareness is present but
group during the during the trial during the trial is otherwise in no
trial. They are may be unacceptable. way takes part
paying attention, inconsistent. Group’s in the trial.
and helping the They may not preparation level Group is
speaker whenever help their group is unacceptable. absolutely
necessary. If they mates when unprepared.
are the speaker, they necessary.
are fully present and Group’s
ask for help when preparation may
necessary. Group is be lacking in
clearly prepared. areas, or may
have obvious
holes.
Presentation Minimum Presentation Presentation Presentation is

requirements are meets minimum may be deficient absent.
met, but requirements but in some
presentation is may be of significant way.
especially well inferior quality. Quotations are
done, or particularly missing, or it is
well-crafted with an afterthought
Hamlet Mock Trial
regard to rhetoric. only.
Submission Group as a whole Group’s Group’s Group’s

of Necessary submits all materials are 1 materials are 2 materials are 3
Material necessary day late or one days late, or days late, or
documents without piece may be more than one multiple pieces
fail or delay upon missing. piece may be may be missing.
completion of the missing.
trial.
Quality It is clear that the The effort put The effort put It is clear that
group has put forth into the into the no effort was
effort into their presentation may presentation is put in to the
preparation and seem not acceptable. presentation.
presentation of inconsistent. Presentation as a
information. Some parts may whole is vastly
be underdeveloped.
underdeveloped.
Hamlet Mock Trial
DEFENSE
As the defense for this case, it will be your job to prove – without a reasonable doubt – Hamlet’s
insanity to the jury, so that he will be remanded to the custody of an insane asylum. While this is
not the ideal way for the Prince of Denmark (technically King, since Claudius dies) to live, it is
better than death – which is what the law will require should you lose this case. You will need to
divide the work equitably.
Your group will be responsible for opening and closing statements, and the interrogation and
cross-examination of both Hamlet and the other witnesses. During trial you will be permitted
notes, one computer to be used for displaying your opening argument video and power point
presentation, and your copy of the play (must be the Norton Critical Edition). All line and page
references must be from the authorized copy of the play. Upon completion of the trial, you must
submit your presentation to me for grading purposes. For questions on how you will be graded,
please see the attached rubric for guidelines.
Video – In every trial there is something called an opening statement in which both sides present
a brief synopsis of their case. Your group will write a script for opening statement, and it will be
filmed. This film will be shown to the court to begin the trial. Your video should be 2-3 minutes
in length. Only one of you needs to deliver the opening statement in the video. You should
review the video several times ahead of time to ensure that everything plays properly, and that
none of your software needs to be updated.
Presentation – You will need to put together a presentation to be used during each interrogation.
You will use this presentation primarily to make visible quotes from the play you wish to use as
evidence. You may, however, also include questions, claims, conclusions, etc. You are creating
an argument – so use the visual rhetoric to your advantage.
You should plan to put the bulk of your emphasis on the initial examination of witnesses. Cross-
examination should be done only for clarification purposes.
After both sides make their opening statements, the prosecution gets to call witnesses, after they
question the witnesses, it will be your turn. You will devise a strategy of proving Hamlet’s
insanity through questioning these witnesses. You may object to something the other side says –
a quick trip through google will help you with that. The witnesses available to you are: Hamlet,
Ophelia, Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (must appear together), Polonius, and
Gertrude. You must call Hamlet to the stand. Beyond that, you must choose 3 of the remaining 5
witnesses to question. Your team captain must tell me who will be called for questioning
before leaving today. You will have approximately 25 minutes to complete all questioning.
Hamlet Mock Trial
Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric – DEFENSE

20 12 9 0

Hamlet Mock Trial

group work or process. of the testing some, or all
during the trial, but process. parts of the
is visibly attentive. testing process.
Video/ Video meets all Video may not Video is Video is absent.
Opening minimum meet all of the deficient in some
Argument requirements but is requirements, or major way,
made. quality that is writing,
less than delivery, or
satisfactory. overall quality.

trial. They are may be unacceptable. way takes part
paying attention, inconsistent. Group’s in the trial.
and helping the They may not preparation level Group is
speaker whenever help their group is unacceptable. absolutely
necessary. If they mates when unprepared.
are the speaker, they necessary.
are fully present and Group’s
ask for help when preparation may
have obvious
holes.
Presentation Minimum Presentation Presentation Presentation is

requirements are meets minimum may be deficient absent.
met, but requirements but in some
presentation is may be of significant way.
especially well inferior quality. Quotations are
done, or particularly missing, or it is
well-crafted with an afterthought
regard to rhetoric. only.

of Necessary submits all materials are 1 materials are 2 materials are 3
Hamlet Mock Trial

trial.
Quality It is clear that the The effort put The effort put It is clear that
group has put forth into the into the no effort was
effort into their presentation may presentation is put in to the
be underdeveloped.
underdeveloped.
HAMLET
To be or not to be? That is the question. As Hamlet, it will be your job to be the one on the
chopping block, so to speak. You will each have a role – you will decide who will be responsible
for what. You must tell me before you leave today.
Hamlet Mock Trial
As Hamlet, it is your job to prepare for questioning from both the prosecution and the defense.
You are, after all, the one on trial. Your interpretation of Hamlet here is critical as you will either
save your own skin, or fall to the gallows. This does not require theatrics, but a strategy. Your
role is somewhat reactionary – you cannot know what will be asked of you – but you can be
prepared, and you can have an agenda of your own. What textual evidence will you use to prove
your case? How will you answer for these crimes? You are by no means required to speak like
Shakespeare’s Hamlet. What you are required to do is to get into Hamlet’s head, and to
determine the truth for yourselves.
work is divided equitably, and must report to the group’s progress. Further, it is the Captain’s job
to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. This is the go-to person for your group. In the
event that you will not be here (you fall ill suddenly etc.), you will contact the Captain.
Video – You will, however, be required to write and film a plea in which you state your
own case. Your group will write a script for this plea, and it will be filmed. This film will be
shown to the court after opening statements. Your video should be 2-3 minutes in length. Only
one of you needs to deliver the plea in the video. You should review the video several times
ahead of time to ensure that everything plays properly, and that none of your software needs to
be updated.
It is expected that you will work together to come to a complete and accurate understanding of
Hamlet and his actions. Any inaccuracies found in your testimony will cost you and your team
major points.
During trial you will be permitted your notes (must be physical), and your copy of the play (must
be Norton Critical Edition). All line and page references must be from the authorized text. Upon
completion of the trial, you must submit your notes to me for grading purposes. For questions on
how you will be graded, please see the attached rubric for guidelines.
Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric – HAMLET

20 12 9 0

participates fully and of participation participation flagrantly and
actively. Student is may not be level is not visibly does not
visibly engaged in consistent. acceptable. May participate or
the activity at all Student may be be found to be help their group
times. Student is not found to misuse misusing at all. May be
Hamlet Mock Trial
misusing technology technology technology found to misuse

during group work during some part during one, technology
or during the trial, of the testing some, or all parts during one,
but is visibly process. of the testing some, or all
attentive. process. parts of the
testing process.
Video/Plea Video meets all Video may not Video is Video is absent.
minimum meet all of the deficient in some
requirements but is requirements, or major way,
made. quality that is writing, delivery,
less than or overall
satisfactory. quality.

trial. They are may be unacceptable. way takes part in
paying attention, and inconsistent. Group’s the trial. Group
helping the speaker They may not preparation level is absolutely
whenever necessary. help their group is unacceptable. unprepared.
If they are the mates when
speaker, they are necessary.
fully present and ask Group’s
for help when preparation may
have obvious
holes.
Evidence Group uses sound Group’s use of Group may only Group offers no
textual evidence to specific textual refer to one or specific textual
make their case. evidence is two specific evidence. They
Group does not inconsistent. textual do not address
discuss the text in May lose sight of references. the point of
general terms, but is specific textual Mostly discusses Hamlet’s
specific in their evidence. the text generally madness.
discussion of without focus
Hamlet’s madness. around Hamlet’s
madness.
Hamlet Mock Trial

of submits all necessary materials are 1 materials are 2 materials are 3
Necessary documents without day late or one days late, or days late, or
Material fail or delay upon piece may be more than one multiple pieces
completion of the missing. piece may be may be missing.
trial. missing.
Quality It is clear that the The effort put The effort put It is clear that no
group has put forth into the into the effort was put in
effort into their presentation may presentation is to the
be underdeveloped.
underdeveloped.
Hamlet Mock Trial
WITNESSES
While Hamlet may be the leading role and the one on trial, you and your fellow witnesses have
much to add to the story. The character you have been chosen to play will be determined today.
You will be responsible for accurately describing your interactions with Hamlet on the stand.
Your first steps, therefore, are to review all scenes in which your character speaks with or about
Hamlet. Any inaccuracies will cost you major points.
The Prosecution and Defense will notify me today by end of class who they will call. In the
event that your character is not called to the stand, you and your group will be responsible
for filming a brief (2-3 minute) video in which your character describes their interactions
with Hamlet. You should review the video several times ahead of time to ensure that everything
plays properly, and that none of your software needs to be updated. If all witnesses are called to
the stand your group will not worry about this component.
Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric –WITNESSES

20 12 9 0

participates fully and of participation participation flagrantly and
actively. Student is may not be level is not visibly does not
Hamlet Mock Trial
visibly engaged in consistent. acceptable. May participate or

the activity at all Student may be be found to be help their group
times. Student is not found to misuse misusing at all. May be
misusing technology technology technology found to misuse
during group work during some part during one, technology
or during the trial, of the testing some, or all parts during one,
but is visibly process. of the testing some, or all parts
attentive. process. of the testing
process.
Roles Student faithfully Student’s Student’s role Student shirks

and effectively execution may execution is not their role’s
executes the role to be inconsistent. acceptable. May responsibilities.
which they are May ask another ask another Student does not
assigned. Student is group mate to group mate to faithfully
a responsible group take one or more take over some execute the
mate, and does not parts of their or all of their office to which
shirk their role. responsibilities. they are
responsibility. assigned.

trial. They are may be unacceptable. way takes part in
paying attention, and inconsistent. Group’s the trial. Group
helping the speaker They may not preparation level is absolutely
whenever necessary. help their group is unacceptable. unprepared.
If they are the mates when
speaker, they are necessary.
fully present and ask Group’s
for help when preparation may
have obvious
holes.
Evidence Group uses sound Group’s use of Group may only Group offers no
textual evidence to specific textual refer to one or specific textual
make their case. evidence is two specific evidence. They
Group does not inconsistent. textual do not address
discuss the text in May lose sight references. the point of
Hamlet Mock Trial
general terms, but is of specific Mostly discusses Hamlet’s

specific in their textual evidence. the text generally madness.
discussion of without focus
Hamlet’s madness. around Hamlet’s
madness.

of submits all necessary materials are 1 materials are 2 materials are 3
Necessary documents without day late or one days late, or days late, or
Material fail or delay upon piece may be more than one multiple pieces
completion of the missing. piece may be may be missing.
trial. missing.
Quality It is clear that the The effort put The effort put It is clear that no
group has put forth into the into the effort was put in
effort into their presentation may presentation is to the
be underdeveloped.
underdeveloped.
Hamlet Mock Trial
JURORS
As a jury member, you have the most important job in the trial. It is up to you whether or
not Hamlet will live or Hamlet will die. For the majority of trial preparation, you will be
segregated from the rest of the groups, so as to not taint your opinion. So what will you do
during preparation time? You and your group will be working on a project to be viewed by the
class as a whole at the conclusion of the trial. You will have roles for both the project and for
trial. You must tell me who will be responsible for what prior to leaving class today.
PROJECT – As a group, you will consider the following question: What role does
madness play in Hamlet? How does it affect the play as a whole? You will create a video that
answers these questions. You will write a script together (you must submit a physical copy to me
at the trial), and one (or more) of you will narrate the video. The video must be available for
watching by the day of trial. Each of you will have a role for the project. You may use outside
sources, however, if you do so you must cite them both inside the text and in a works cited at the
end (MLA). You must use specific evidence. If you are found to have used outside sources
without documentation, the entire group will receive a zero (0) for this portion of the exam.
TRIAL – I think you understand what your role is during the trial. During trial, you are to
be the picture of attentiveness. You are responsible for taking notes during the entire trial – it
will play a significant role in your grade for this activity. Then, once the trial is over, you will
step outside to deliberate. Each of you will have a role for trial.
Upon completion of the trial, you must submit your notes to me for grading purposes. For
questions on how you will be graded, please see the attached rubric for guidelines.
PROJECT COMPONENTS
Script – You must all have a hand in writing the script. If at all possible, please keep track
of who writes what. This is to reward those who pull their weight, making the grading process as
fair as possible.
Video – Each of you must appear in the video.
TRIAL ROLES – As you know, each of you will be responsible for taking notes during trial.
This will be part of your individual grade. The roles are as follows:
Forewoman – Leader; reads the verdict out
Recorder – Records all points of interest during deliberation
Ballot Counter – Counts the votes of each juror after they’ve been cast
Time Keeper – Responsible for ensuring that the group does not exceed their 15 minute
deliberation
Reasonable Doubt – Simply put, this person is responsible for being the devil’s advocate
during deliberation. This will ensure that the jury has made its decision beyond a reasonable
doubt.
Hamlet Mock Trial
Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric – JURY

Name:__________________________________________
20 12 9 0
Video Group successfully Group The group’s Group does not

discusses the issues inconsistently product is produce a report,
of madness in a discusses the unacceptable. or it is less than
visual way. issue of They may deal 60 seconds. It
Hamlet Mock Trial
Presentation is madness. with madness may have major

appropriate and Presentation but it may not be inaccuracies, and
delivers the may be the focus of the the report may
information somewhat report. The not be of the
accurately in the inappropriate report may also appropriate
selected genre. and may have have major or genre.
minor minor
inaccuracies, or inaccuracies.
may not directly Report does not
match up with match genre.
the genre.
Trial Student is visibly Student is Student may not Student does not
attentive during inconsistently be paying pay attention – is
trial. Student takes attentive during attention. visibly not
notes and does not trial. Student Student may mentally present.
engage in may be only Student spent a
conversation with inconsistent in occasionally take significant
the other jurors at her note taking, notes. Student amount of time
any time once the and may engage may often “spaced out”
trial has started. in distracting her engage in side- during the trial.
fellow jurors conversations
with side with other jurors.
conversations.
Roles Student faithfully Student’s Student’s role Student shirks

and effectively execution may execution is not their role’s
executes the role to be inconsistent. acceptable. May responsibilities.
which they are May ask another ask another Student does not
Hamlet Mock Trial
assigned. Student group mate to group mate to faithfully

is a responsible take one or more take over some execute the
group mate, and parts of their or all of their office to which
does not shirk their role. responsibilities. they are
responsibility. assigned.

group work or process. of the testing some, or all parts
during the trial, but process. of the testing
is visibly attentive. process.
Time Group successfully Inconsistently Group does not Group claims

uses their allotted uses their time use time wisely. they are not
time during the wisely. They Asks for up to ready at all at the
trial and during may request ten minutes of end of the
preparation more time of up extra time. allotted time
periods. They do to five minutes period.
not use too much for preparation.
or too little time.
Submission of Group as a whole Group’s Group’s Group’s

Necessary submits all materials are 1 materials are 2 materials are 3
Hamlet Mock Trial

trial.
Deliberation Group effectively Group Group Group does not

considers all pieces inconsistently inadequately use the trial to
of the trial in order considers all considers the make their
to make their pieces of the trial when decision. The
decision. Group trial. Group coming to their group may argue
respectfully members may decision. The with one
debates when there forget their group brings in another.
is a difference of manners when extraneous
opinion. there is a pieces of the
difference of play that are not
opinion. presented during
trial. Group may
not deal with
differences of
opinion well.

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Hamlet Mock Trial

Participation Student visibly Student’s level Student’s Student

Student is visibly consistent. acceptable. May participate or

Trial Student works Student’s Student’s level Student’s body

Presentation Minimum Presentation Presentation Presentation is

regard to rhetoric. only.

Submission Group as a whole Group’s Group’s Group’s

Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric – DEFENSE

Participation Student visibly Student’s level Student’s Student

misusing during some part during one, technology

Trial Student works Student’s Student’s level Student’s body

Presentation Minimum Presentation Presentation Presentation is

Submission Group as a whole Group’s Group’s Group’s

documents without piece may be more than one multiple pieces

Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric – HAMLET

Participation Student visibly Student’s level Student’s Student

misusing technology technology technology found to misuse

Trial Student works Student’s Student’s level Student’s body

Submission Group as a whole Group’s Group’s Group’s

Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric –WITNESSES

Participation Student visibly Student’s level Student’s Student

visibly engaged in consistent. acceptable. May participate or

Roles Student faithfully Student’s Student’s role Student shirks

Trial Student works Student’s Student’s level Student’s body

general terms, but is of specific Mostly discusses Hamlet’s

Submission Group as a whole Group’s Group’s Group’s

Hamlet Mock Trial Rubric – JURY

Video Group successfully Group The group’s Group does not

Presentation is madness. with madness may have major

Roles Student faithfully Student’s Student’s role Student shirks

assigned. Student group mate to group mate to faithfully

Participation Student visibly Student’s level Student’s Student

Time Group successfully Inconsistently Group does not Group claims

Submission of Group as a whole Group’s Group’s Group’s

documents without piece may be more than one multiple pieces

Deliberation Group effectively Group Group Group does not

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