Why Does Polonius Think Hamlet Is Mad?

Polonius initially believes that Hamlet’s mental state is due to his unrequited love for Ophelia, but he begins to suspect that there is more to it. He rhetorically asks Ophelia if Hamlet is “mad for thy love?” and then tells the king and queen that their son is “mad”. When Hamlet enters the room, Polonius notices that his behavior is calculated and he remarks to himself, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” This suggests that Polonius is beginning to understand that Hamlet is using his apparent insanity as a disguise.

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