se, it could be thought to be the speech of the great Socrates or Aristotle. This shows Hamlet’s great depth of knowledge, uses of words, and creativity in punning. Fit to be a witty philosopher, this young man proves not to be a good politician. Not digressing, Hamlet’s ingeniousness continues. Hamlet then precedes with further banter: “For yourself, sir, shall grow old as I am - if like a crab you could go backward.”(II.II. 202-3) Though his words seem absurd, Hamlet has hit the mark. For Polonius would indeed need to crawl backwards in order to reach hamlets age. All Polonius can retort is, “. . . this be madness.” (II.II.205) The next great display of hamlet’s ingeniousness is when all within the castle are looking for the late Polonius’ body. Already thinking Hamlet is mad they begin to clutch harder to that theory when questioning Hamlet. Upon being asked where Polonius’ body is, Hamlet, once again, gives a philosophical and intellectual comment. To the non-universitat student, these statements prove to be the evocations of a mad man. But to a great philosopher like Hamlet, Socrates, or even Plato they hold more truth than they are thought to hold. Not where he eats, but where a is eaten. A certain convocation of politic worms are e’en at him. . . . A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a kind, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm. (IV.III. 19 -28) This is one of the most profound statements that Hamlet has mad thus far. For it is humbling to think that those who are royal now, may soon be humbled by the fact that they will simply return to the dirt. To not digress from out earlier statement, we have to acknowledge how and when Hamlet has mad his transition from a “prince of philosophical speculators” to a price of actions. The road and journey to action was a hard and treacherous one for Hamlet. Many acts went by where Hamlet had to sit and ...
