Essay Database

Derek Mycroft 4-3-00 Hamlet Quotes “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” (II ii) This statement, spoken by Polonius in an aside about Hamlet, makes reference to Hamlets apparent insane disposition. Polonius, though shown as somewhat dimwitted and slow, is shown by this quote to be coming to the realization that Hamlets speech, which was once dismissed as the words of a madman actually are carefully selected phrases, witty responses, and …

…to watch himself and must then be watched whether for his own sake or others. Two, that no great man can truly go insane simply because of their elevated status. This one, I feel is the more relevant. Claudius probably feels threatened by Hamlet because he knows his insanity is false and that Hamlet must be watched, for any great man who would pretend something like this must be planning something as great as he.