Oliver Lu

Apr 14, 2014

IB English 10 2-3

JUROR REPORT: MACBETH TRIAL
CHARGES:
FIRST DEGREE MURDER OF BANQUO
FIRST DEGREE MURDER OF MACDUFFS FAMILY
ATTEMPTED MURDER OF FLEANCE
REGICIDE OF DUNCAN
IF FOUND GUILTY, SHOULD BE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN JAIL FOR FIRST DEGREE
MURDER

FINAL VERDICT:
INNOCENT, HOWEVER IS SENTENCED TO ATTEND A MENTAL INSTITUTION UNTIL
PROVEN HEALTHY

ANALYSIS
The court case for Macbeth was quite intriguing yet confusing at the same time. This was
a result of many of the witnesses contradicting themselves, as well as lack of solid evidence
within their responses to questioning.
SECTION 1: REGICIDE OF DUNCAN
The regicide of Duncan, according to evidence provided by Lady Macbeth, T
Banquo (s ghost) provides one piece of evidence that is credible: Macbeth was not under
influence (this statement would be later backed up by the Witch, who states she did not cast any
spells.) Through the prophecy provided by the Witch, Macbeth would become Thane of Glamis,
Thane of Cawdor, and king hereafter. Banquo stated that this could be a possible motive for
Macbeth to kill Duncan, even though he did not have to in order to fulfill the prophecy (later
stated by the witch). Further evidence from Banquo shows that Macbeth undergoes intense
mental changes after said prophecy, including nervousness. No reasoning is provided for this
change besides the assumption that it was a motive for the regicide of Duncan.
The servant provides many auditory witnesses of evidence for every charge. In the
kitchen, she overheard Macbeth discussing with Lady Macbeth, and heard them mention
Oliver Lu
Apr 14, 2014
IB English 10 2-3

Duncans guards, as well as what not put upon his spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt of
our great quell This quotation serves as evidence for plotting an action made by Macbeth and
his lady, while blaming it on the only two guards involved in this case. By deduction from the
evidence provided, the servant also assumes that it is reasonable to suspect Macbeth is
responsible for the murder.
Lady Macbeth literally states that she was Somehow involved. This statement
demanded questioning as to what she was involved with, as well as a direct question of whether
or not Macbeth killed Duncan. No such evidence was provided, and therefore this source cannot
be used. The doctor, who treated her, quoted that she said Wash your hands, put on your night-
gown, look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquos buried; he cannot come out ons grave.
This quotation would have served as a great argument for the prosecution to prove Macbeth
guilty of the murder of Banquo, however it was forgotten. The doctor also notes that Lady
Macbeth was sleep deprived, and reasons include guilt or trauma. Unless there was another
reason for such guilt and/or trauma, this would fit perfectly well with how she was somehow
involved in the all the murders, including the regicide of Duncan.

Arguments against each witness are as follows:
-Lady Macbeth does not have the mental abilities to be a valid witness
-The servant did not visually witness most of the events to be credible
-Banquo can only suspect because of the prophecy
Although these arguments are weak, they still maintain influence over usable accounts
and evidence, and should still be taken into consideration. Lady Macbeth is diagnosed with sleep
deprivation by the Doctor, which could lead to hallucinations.

SECTION 2: Murder of Banquo and Macduffs family
Banquo himself assumes that Macbeth sent the murderers to kill him. Evidence is backed
by contract provided by one of the murderers, as well as the quotation provided by Lady
Macbeth. Banquo assumes that Macbeth may have wanted to remain king thereafter longer by
murdering him and attempting to murder both his sons. Also, the contract should not be
considered trivial among the evidence provided throughout the trial. Although the contract lacks
a witness, it still proves that there was an agreement made between two people. To clarify, the
murderer is a contract killer, meaning that he does the job for some form of payment; therefore
the murderer would not kill Banquo for any apparent reason. The defense claimed that Macbeth
Oliver Lu
Apr 14, 2014
IB English 10 2-3

does not remember signing the contract, nor is the signature his. We are not provided with any
other examples of his signature, therefore we cannot prove the signature, and however the fact
still remains that there was an agreement and Banquo is dead.
The defense also used Macbeths mental state to prevent us from sending him to jail. If
Macbeth had a mental illness, it could be a result of extreme guilt. Macbeth developed these
symptoms after the murder of Duncan, which puts away the defenses statement that Macbeth had
this mental illness already. The timeline determined from the witnesses shows the following
events in order, assuming that Macbeth is indeed responsible for the charges:
-Macbeth hears about the prophecy, becoming more nervous
-Macbeth plots the regicide of Duncan with Lady Macbeth, witnessed by the servant
-Macbeth kills Duncan and the guards
-Macbeth sends contract killers to murder Banquo and Macduffs family

CONCLUSION:
From lack of solid evidence such as visual evidence, we pronounced that Macbeth was
not guilty. Within the discussion time allotted, we sentenced Macbeth to a mental institution
because the defense team claimed he had a bad mental state. Also by having said mental illness,
we are not allowed to send him to jail according to Canadian law. Until he is proven healthy, he
will remain at the mental institution for his mental state.