Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents Hamlets state of mind in this passage.

Hamlet continues to use insult Polonius  throughout the passage however soon after he insults Polonius he shows politeness. For example Hamlet says ‘conception is a blessing: but not as your daughter may conceive. Friend, look to ‘t.’ This is a very strong insult towards Polonius as Hamlet is simply saying Polonius’s daughter may conceive if she is out which is not a blessing. He then calls Polonius ‘friend’ which is a form of politeness hinting that Hamlet is just merely giving advice. Polonius’s reply is aside which is a dramatic interlude. Polonius replies aside because he cannot give comebacks to Hamlet due to Hamlet’s social status. This reflects on the idea of status and authority in the play.

Hamlet is clearly upset with himself as he has not yet avenged his father’s death which is a burden for him. This is reflected upon when Hamlet tells Polonius he is reading ‘words, words, words.’ Although this adds humour to the play it also suggests Hamlet is unaware of the context Polonius is speaking in. This enforces Hamlets distant state of mind. Lines 195 – 202 Hamlet is describing his book but there is still mockery in what Hamlet is saying because he describes Polonius in the same context. When he says ‘old men have grey beards… they have plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams.’ This is again an offensive way to talk to Polonius however still using a polite tone.  Hamlet’s state of mind is continuously portrayed as full of conflict and apparent madness.

Hamlet’s dialogue continues to amuse the audience discretely portraying his state of mind. Polonius asks Hamlet ‘Will you walk out of the air, My lord?’ by which he meant away from the draught. However Hamlet replies to this ‘into my grave.’ Although that is out of the air it is a deep, negative reply to Polonius’s request. Hamlet is constantly deliberately misinterpreting what is being said to him. Finally after Polonius says he is leaving, Hamlet replies once again in a defensive manner ‘You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will not more willingly part withal: except my life, except my life, except my life.’ Polonius was simply being polite towards Hamlet but Hamlet seems to be insecure by which he replies such a deep answer trying to tell Polonius that there is nothing Hamlet won’t want to give that they will be able to take. The repetition of except my life suggests Hamlet is feeling very depressed and negative about himself.

Consequently the audience views Hamlets state of mind in the passage as very sharp and deep in his speech. He constantly uses negative and offensive replies to even the simplest questions. However, in contrast with this the conversation between Hamlet and Polonius is turn taking with each character saying enough. Although their conversation is conflicted with rude remarks it is also a externally polite conversation without argumentative tones.