Hamlet Play
By TheAwesomeIronfanfics
Claudius is on trial for murdering Hamlet's father.
Hamlet- Accuser/Prosecution
Claudius - Defendant/Defense
Mr. Richardson - Judge
Bailiff - Jarrett
Witnesses-
Ophelia
Laertes
Polonius
Queen
Surprise (ghost)
Rosencrantz
Guildenstern
Barnardo
Francisco
Horatio
Marcellus
Jurors - Citizens 1-12
Judge Richardson - (taps gavel) Order in the court. We will now begin the trial for the murder of our old King. Claudius is accused by Hamlet of murdering his father, our old King. Now we will commence opening arguments. The prosecution may begin.
Hamlet - Today, I am accusing my uncle Claudius, the King, of murdering my father. This all began when my father's ghost came to me and told me Claudius was his murderer. Another event happened that proves Claudius' guilt. When we performed the play that re-enacted my father's death, it drove Claudius mad, an indication of guilt. The ghost of my father told me how he was murdered, and that's what was re-enacted.
Judge Richardson - The defense may make their opening statement.
Claudius - Hamlet is a fool for believing in ghosts. I did not murder my brother the king. I went mad because of Hamlet's accusations. Hamlet is insane for believing that I murdered his father. Hamlet, allegedly, saw the ghost in the room with his mother again, but his mother, the queen, saw nothing.
Judge Richardson - Hamlet, you may call your first witness .
Hamlet - I Would like to call Francisco to the stand.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Francisco - I do
Hamlet - It is true that you saw with your own eyes the ghost of our old King, my father?
Francisco - Yes, I did
Hamlet - No more questions, your honor.
Judge Richardson- Would the defense like to cross examine the witness?
Claudius - I would like to cross examine the witness. How much sleep did you have when you saw the ghost?
Francisco - I watch at night, but I sleep during the day.
Claudius - I asked how much time! (getting angry)
Francisco - I don't keep track, but I was well rested.
Claudius - I asked how mu…! (getting more angry)
Hamlet - I object. Badgering the witness, your honor.
Mr. Richardson - It sounds like the witness has answered the question to the best of his ability. Do you have any more questions?
Claudius - No more questions, your honor.
Mr. Richardson - Would the prosecution like to call their next witness?
Hamlet - I would like to call Bernardo.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Bernardo - I do.
Hamlet - Did you see the ghost of my father?
Bernardo - Yes, I did.
Hamlet - I have no more questions, your honor.
Mr. Richardson - Would the defense like to cross examine?
Claudius - I would. How much did you have to drink that night?
Bernardo - Well within my normal limit.
Claudius - I asked how much to drink? (getting angry!)
Bernardo - If you are asking if I got drunk that night, I did not.
Claudius - I asked how mu…. (getting more angry!)
Hamlet - I object. Badgering the witness your honor.
Mr. Richardson - It sounds like the witness has answered the question to the best of his ability. Do you have any more questions?
Claudius - No more questions, your honor.
Mr. Richardson - Would the prosecution like to call their next witness?
Hamlet - I would like to call Marcellus.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Marcellus - I do.
Hamlet - Did you see the ghost of my father?
Marcellus - Yes I did.
Hamlet - No more questions your honor.
Mr. Richardson - Would the defense like to cross examine the witness?
Claudius - Yes. Marcellus, how many fingers am I holding up? (He holds up 2 fingers).
Marcellus - (squinting) Ummm… 4 fingers?
Claudius - Wrong! I'm holding up two! How can we accept you think you saw a ghost, when you have bad vision. No more questions, your honor.
Mr. Richardson - Would the prosecution like to call their next witness?
Hamlet - I would like to call Horatio.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Horatio - I do.
Hamlet - Did you see the ghost of my father?
Horatio - Yes I did.
Hamlet - Were you at the re-enactment that I had, portraying my father's death?
Horatio- Yes I was.
Hamlet - What was Claudius' reaction to the re-enactment?
Horatio - He looked shocked. He stood up and said, "Get me light," and then he scurried out quickly.
Hamlet - Did he look surprised and angry?
Horatio - Yes both of them.
Hamlet - No more questions.
Judge Richardson- Would the defense like to cross examine the witness?
Claudius -Yes, I would like to cross examine the witness. Would you consider Hamlet your best friend?
Horatio - Yes, he's my closest friend in the world.
Claudius - Would you say you care for him so much, that you would lie for him!
Horatio - I have lied for him in the past, but I'm not lying now.
Claudius - Well, I don't believe you. That's all your honor.
Mr. Richardson - Would the prosecution call the next witness?
Hamlet - I'd like to call my mother the queen.
Claudius - I object your honor. The queen is my wife and she's not allowed to testify against me.
Hamlet - But she is my mother and this trial is the murder of my father, her former husband.
Judge Richardson - Would the Queen like to testify?
Queen - I think I am biased to both sides. I would not be a good witness for either side.
Judge Richardson - I would agree the queen should not testify. Does the prosecution have any more witnesses?
Hamlet - No your Honor.
Judge Richardson - We will recess for lunch. (Taps gavel.)
(They go to lunch and come back an hour later.)
Judge Richardson - Order, order (taps gavel). The court will be back in session. Will the defense call their first witness?
Claudius - The defense calls Ophelia.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Ophelia - I do.
Claudius - Did Hamlet give you love letters?
Ophelia - Yes.
Claudius - Do you think Hamlet's love for you is his reason for being mad?
Ophelia - I believe so
Claudius - No more questions, your Honor.
Judge Richardson - Would the prosecution like to cross examine?
Hamlet - Yes. Do you think your father wrote those love letters to you?
Claudius - Objection. Calls for speculation.
Judge - Sustained, Please reword the question in a different way.
Hamlet - Were the love letters in your father's handwriting?
Ophelia - I do not know
Hamlet - No more questions your Honor.
Judge Richardson - Would the defense call their next witness.
Claudius -I would like to call Laertes.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Laertes- I do.
Claudius - Laertes, what was your reaction when you found out Hamlet killed your father?
Laertes - I wanted to kill him (very angry response)
Claudius - What was your reaction after you found out your sister had drowned?
Laertes - I wanted to kill him even more (explosive)
Hamlet - Objection your Honor, the witness is too angry for his testimony to be considered by the jury.
(Laertes jumps out and punches Hamlet in the face. Yelling and commotion in the courtroom.)
Judge Richardson - Order, order. (taps gavel)
Will the Bailiff please remove the witness.
(The Bailiff is removing the witness )
Laertes - (as he is being removed yells) - YOU KILLED MY FATHER AND MY SISTER! WHY AREN'T YOU ON TRIAL?
Hamlet - OBJECTION, Your sister drowned!
(Courtroom doors open and Laertes [still yelling] is removed)
Judge Richardson - Order, order! (taps gavel)
(The courtroom dies down after a couple minutes)
Would the prosecution and defense please approach the bench.
(They talk for a couple minutes)
Judge Richardson - I have decided Laertes statement will be detracted from the record. Will the defense call their next witness.
Claudius - I would like to call Polonius.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Polonius- I do.
Claudius - Do you still think Hamlet's love for your daughter has driven him mad?
Polonius - Yes I do.
Claudius - Did Hamlet kill you?
Polonius- Yes.
Claudius - Did you overhear the conversation that Hamlet was having with Ophelia
Polonius - Yes
Claudius - Did Hamlet sound mad in the conversation?
Polonius - Yes
Claudius - No more questions, your honor.
Judge Richardson - Would the prosecution like to cross examine?
Hamlet - Yes. Did you and Claudius plan to kill me?
Polonius- Yes.
Hamlet - Were you behind the Arras when I was talking with my mom, the queen, and were you listening in on the private conversation I was having with her?
Polonius -Yes and yes.
Hamlet - No more questions your Honor.
Judge Richardson - Would the defense call their next witness.
Claudius - I would like to call. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Hamlet - Objection your honor, you can't call two people at the same time. Even though they're always together .
Claudius - I called them both at the same time because they're always together.
Judge Richardson - Since it sounds like they're always together, I'll allow them to be on the stand at the same time.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you two swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - We do.
Claudius - How well do you know Hamlet?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - Pretty well.
Claudius - What was Hamlet's reaction when he heard the players were coming?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - He was really excited.
Claudius - No more questions your Honor.
Judge Richardson - Would the prosecution like to cross examine?
Hamlet - Yes. Did you like the play I put on?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - Yes we did.
Hamlet - I'm sorry the king had you killed.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - It's okay.
Hamlet - No more questions your Honor.
Judge Richardson - Does the defense have any mo...?
(Suddenly the ghost of Hamlet's father appears in the witness chair and the courtroom is in shock)
Hamlet - Dad!, You're back!
Ghost - Yes, it is me son.
Judge Richardson - Order in the Court! (tapping gavel) Will the defense and prosecution please approach the stand?
(They speak for a few minutes quietly)
Judge Richardson - I decided the witness will testify. The surprise witness will go ahead and testify for the prosecution.
Jarrett - Raise your right hand and put your left hand on the Bible. Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Ghost- I do.
Hamlet - Are you the ghost of my father?
Ghost - Yes.
Hamlet - Did Claudius kill you by dropping poison in your ear?
Ghost - Yes.
(The courtroom is in shock once again.)
Judge Richardson - Order in the Court! (tapping gavel).
Hamlet - The prosecution rests your honor.
Judge Richardson - Would the defense like to cross examine the witness?
Claudius - Yes your honor, Did you see me allegedly kill you.
Ghost - Yes.
Claudius - How?
Ghost - You know.
Claudius - I asked how.
Ghost - I saw you before I died.
(The courtroom is in shock once again.)
Claudius -No more questions your Honor. (To himself - Ouch!, That backfired)
Judge Richardson - Does the defense have any more witnesses?
Claudius - No, your honor.
Judge Richardson - Then we will move on the closing arguments! The prosecution may begin.
Hamlet - He is guilty How could you find it any other way? My father is telling the truth. Me and 4 other people can prove we saw the ghost the night I spoke to him and the people, in the courtroom. There may be more too.
Judge Richardson - The Defense may make their closing arguments.
Claudius - How could you believe in ghosts? Ghosts are not real are we really going to convince somebody on the testimony of a ghost?
Judge Richardson - Now we will begin Jury deliberations.
Ending 1
To the reader from a scale to 1 to 12 one being the least guilty 12 being the most guilty how guilty do you say is Claudius.
Ending 2
(The jury comes back from deliberations)
Judge Richardson - Order, order! (taps gavel) Does the jury have a verdict
Jury - We do your honor. We find the defendant guilty of murder.
Judge Richardson - I would like to thank and excuse the jury. The trial is over.
(taps gavel)
Will the bailiff please take away the convicted.
(The bailiff removes the convicted) The End