P Lawyer: No further questions Your Honour. Next I’d like to call Mr. Prospero to the stand. (When Prospero is there) Mr Prospero, can you tell me what made you a good Duke?
Prospero: Well, like I told my daughter yesterday, I made a good Duke because I spent a lot of time studying and reading in my Library, and yet I still managed to solve the problems, and legal troubles of my people.
P Lawyer: And, can you tell the courts how you coped with all the problems – what your system for dealing with them was?
Prospero: Well, Antonio had responsibilities to these areas. I would come up with a solution, and then Antonio would, consequently, address the situation.
P Lawyer: Thank you Mr Prospero, No further questions Your Honour.
Judge: Defence, you may call your first to give evidence: Caliban.
A Lawyer: So, Mr Caliban, do you think that Mr Prospero should regain his position as duke of Milan?
Caliban: Under the circumstances, no. That man stole my island. It was my mother’s island before and I think that he (pointing to Prospero) should be prosecuted for usurping my island, and enrolling me as his slave. He deserves everything that comes to him.
A Lawyer: So, it is safe to say that Mr. Prospero treats you unfairly and unequally?
Caliban: Prospero treats me as if I am dirt. I do not think he is a fit duke. However, his daughter, Miranda, is absolutly perfect. She would make an excellent duke of Milan – or duchess for that matter. She doesn’t agree with me being slave to her father, even she, his adoring child, thinks he is in the wrong. No wonder Antonio banished Prospero, he must have had them cleaning the air before him!
A Lawyer: No further questions Your Honour. I would now like to call Mr. Antonio to the stand. (When Antonio gets there) Mr Antonio, what are your reasons for usurping the Dukedom of Milan?
Antonio: That’s simple. He was a bad Duke. He spent too much time in that cursed library of his, and he never took any time to notice the people around him. Whenever there was any paperwork, or legal problems, he gave them to me to sort out. He even let me forge his signature! I was practically Duke already – all I would have needed was the title!
A Lawyer: But why banish him, Mr Antonio?
Antonio: I banished him because I knew he would kick up a fuss if I let him stay. I suppose I also assumed that if he got shipwrecked on some island, he would learn that there is more to life than himself and books.
A Lawyer: Thank you Mr Antonio. I have no further questions, Your Honour.
Judge: (Bangs Hammer) Court postponed until Friday 21st November, where we will hear and carry out the verdict.