Hamlet Trial Activity - Is Hamlet Mad? Prosecution and Defense Speeches
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Hamlet Trial Activity - Is Hamlet Mad? Prosecution and Defense Speeches brings Shakespeare’s classic play to the courtroom, with Hamlet on trial! In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet kills Polonius by stabbing him through the arras, but is he responsible for his death? In this activity, students will step into the roles of either a prosecutor or a defense attorney and take on the responsibility of analyzing whether Hamlet is culpable for the death of Polonius or if he should be considered innocent by reason of insanity. Students will craft and deliver a persuasive argument, based on evidence from the play, that supports their chosen stance.
Included in this Hamlet Trial Activity - Is Hamlet Mad?:
➡️ Hamlet Trial Activity Teacher Instructions: You can feel totally confident implementing this lesson with detailed, step-by-step teacher instructions for how to facilitate this trial speeches activity.
➡️ Hamlet Trial Student Instructions: Provide students with this handout that will provide the context from the play surrounding Polonius' death, information on their task, background information on an insanity defense, and speech requirements. Students will step into the roles of either a prosecutor or a defense attorney and take on the responsibility of analyzing whether Hamlet is culpable for the death of Polonius or if he should be considered innocent by reason of insanity.
➡️ Prosecution Speech Planning Pages: Students will use these planning pages if they choose to deliver a speech as a lawyer for the prosecution to build a compelling case that demonstrates Hamlet’s culpability in the tragic death of Polonius. Their stance is that Hamlet was not insane and that his reckless actions led to Polonius’ demise. The planning page includes prompting questions that will help them develop their case.
➡️ Defense Attorney Speech Planning Pages: These planning pages are for students who choose to deliver a speech as a lawyer for the defense to build a compelling case that demonstrates Hamlet’s innocence in the tragic death of Polonius. Their stance is that Hamlet was not feigning madness and is innocent by reason of insanity. The planning page includes prompting questions that will help them develop their case.
➡️ Is Hamlet Mad Speech Template: Once students have prepared using the pre-writing graphic organizer planning pages, they can write their final speech on this eye-catching template in preparation for delivering their speech.
➡️ Hamlet Trial Activity Teacher Instructions: You can feel totally confident implementing this lesson with detailed, step-by-step teacher instructions for how to facilitate this trial speeches activity.
➡️ Hamlet Trial Student Instructions: Provide students with this handout that will provide the context from the play surrounding Polonius' death, information on their task, background information on an insanity defense, and speech requirements. Students will step into the roles of either a prosecutor or a defense attorney and take on the responsibility of analyzing whether Hamlet is culpable for the death of Polonius or if he should be considered innocent by reason of insanity.
➡️ Prosecution Speech Planning Pages: Students will use these planning pages if they choose to deliver a speech as a lawyer for the prosecution to build a compelling case that demonstrates Hamlet’s culpability in the tragic death of Polonius. Their stance is that Hamlet was not insane and that his reckless actions led to Polonius’ demise. The planning page includes prompting questions that will help them develop their case.
➡️ Defense Attorney Speech Planning Pages: These planning pages are for students who choose to deliver a speech as a lawyer for the defense to build a compelling case that demonstrates Hamlet’s innocence in the tragic death of Polonius. Their stance is that Hamlet was not feigning madness and is innocent by reason of insanity. The planning page includes prompting questions that will help them develop their case.
➡️ Is Hamlet Mad Speech Template: Once students have prepared using the pre-writing graphic organizer planning pages, they can write their final speech on this eye-catching template in preparation for delivering their speech.
>>>This resource is included in my unit plan for the play! Click below:
Pair this with our Shakespeare Introductory Resources. Click below:
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