Oedipus on Trial!
Who is responsible for the tragedy of Oedipus? (A jury of peers will
determine innocence or guilt and the appropriate punishment.)
Preparation
All students must come to class with passages from the text (evidence) and
explanations of guilt and/or innocence (analysis). Note: Any student absent the day
of the court trial must write a formal, persuasive essay as a make-up assignment.
Prosecution
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Must seek a punishment for each defendant (character)
Must select one person to give a one minute opening argument
Must find five (5) passages of text evidence for the guilt of each character
For the trial: findings must be formulated into five (5) MAIN QUESTIONS
Think about how a court trial works… how an attorney will often times build an
argument and lead the defendant into those “main” questions. You may have one buildup question for each of your “main” questions.
Must take notes and create two (2) rebuttal questions
One person (different from above) will give a one minute closing argument
Defendants/ Defense Attorneys
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Together, must find ten (10) passages as text evidence to support innocence (each with a
copy).
Defense attorneys must anticipate the guilt of their clients, and create cross-examination
questions for the trial: each piece of analysis must be formulated into a QUESTION in
defense
They must also take notes during the trail and must formulate two (2) questions “on the
fly” as part of cross examination. (So a total of seven (7) questions as a defense.)
Use text evidence to create questions. (Defense attorneys, however, must anticipate the
moves of the prosecutors.)
Jury Members
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Must choose a character of interest and find five (5) pieces of text evidence to show that
character’s guilt and five (5) pieces of text evidence to show that character’s innocence.
Explain your ideas.
Must take notes during the court trial for final deliberation
* All notes must be clearly typed and include page numbers for evidence.
GRADING: Students will receive (30) points for completion of the pre-trial research,
preparation, and following directions. An additional (20) points will be given on effort,
participation, and creativity during the trial.
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Jury Assessment – Each jury member must take notes on evidence that you feel best proves
each character’s innocence or guilt. The jury will meet to decide the guilt or innocence (my
majority vote) as well as punishment (by majority vote).
Tiresias
INNOCENT
GUILTY
PUNISHMENT: ________________________________________________________________
Creon
INNOCENT
GUILTY
PUNISHMENT: ________________________________________________________________
Corinthian Messenger
INNOCENT
GUILTY
PUNISHMENT: ________________________________________________________________
Shepherd
INNOCENT
GUILTY
PUNISHMENT: ________________________________________________________________
Jocasta
INNOCENT
GUILTY
PUNISHMENT: ________________________________________________________________
Oedipus
INNOCENT
GUILTY
PUNISHMENT: ________________________________________________________________
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Prosecution Team ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
Oedipus
_______________________ ________________________
Creon
_______________________ ________________________
Jocasta
_______________________ ________________________
Tiresias
_______________________ ________________________
Messenger
_______________________ ________________________
Shepherd
_______________________ ________________________
Jury
_______________________ ________________________
_______________________ ________________________
_______________________ ________________________
_______________________ ________________________
_______________________ ________________________
_______________________ ________________________
_______________________ ________________________
_______________________ ________________________
Court Date:
____________________________
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