udes to Gertrude and Claudius that since Ophelia is not allowed to be with Hamlet anymore, their “noble son is mad. Mad call I it, for, to define true madness, what is’t but to be nothing else but mad” (2.2.92-94). Polonius cannot think of any other term to describe Hamlet’s behavior except that he is insane. “He goes on at length about what he thinks he knows about Hamlet’s love-madness” (“Polonius” Clicknotes). He gives them this long speech about Hamlet’s insanity and reads the prince’s love letters addressed to Ophelia so Polonius will receive praise from Claudius and Gertrude. “Polonius, whose routine it is to make intelligence reports on potential troublemakers, finds an easy clue to Hamlet’s ‘madness’ in Ophelia’s rejection of him” (Bevington). Polonius always has to sound smart in discussing the terrible things that happen to people, especially in figuring out that his daughter is the cause of Hamlet’s insanity. Claudius tells Polonius he is “a man faithful and honorable” (2.2.127). The king is very proud of Polonius’ efforts in bringing him the letters and notifying him of this problem, but he wants more evidence. Polonius decides to use his daughter for bait to fulfill his plans: “Read on this book, that show of such an exercise may color your loneliness” (3.1.44-46). Polonius does not even ask Ophelia to carry out this task; he just tells her to pretend reading a book, so Hamlet will not suspect she is there to see him. Perhaps Hamlet will come and talk with her while revealing the cause of his insanity through his actions. Polonius informs the king and queen that Hamlet hangs around the lobby and he will “loose [his] daughter to him” (2.2.159). He is going to let Ophelia meet Hamlet in the library while he and Claudius hide and watch Hamlet’s behavior. In Cri...
