In William Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, we, as readers, increasingly question the sanity of the protagonist, Hamlet as the work continues. His seemingly psychotic banter with the other characters in the play begins to convince us that Hamlet is, indeed, mad. Hamlet, however, states, “How strange or strange I behave, for perhaps hereafter I shall think it best to take an old-fashioned disposition” (1.5.171). He specifically tells Orazio and Marcello that he will act crazy, as a cover. Hamlet has exceptional knowledge of mental philosophy and the uses and effects of logic, more than the other characters in the play. Because of this, Hamlet appears mad to others, but in reality remains true to his original statement of simply using an "outdated disposition." Hamlet is rooted in logic throughout the entire play. His logic is more obvious than that of the average man, thus confusing some of the other characters. Rather than state something profound in response to when Polonius asks what Hamlet is reading, he says only the most obvious and basic answer possible, “words, words, words” (2.2.192). This trend between Polonius and Hamlet continues. "What's the matter, my lord?" asks Polonius. Hamlet replies: “Among whom?” (2.2.193-194). Tenney Davis responds to this by saying that Hamlet convincingly feigned his madness by taking things too literally, which manifested itself in the desire to “split hairs in two” (Davis 630). Hamlet was always annoyed by Polonius and his talkative speeches, but he reacted not irrationally, but on the contrary, with the simplest, albeit rude, consistent answers. If Hamlet were truly mad, he would not have been able to create plots as naive and elaborate... middle of paper... as the one in the play. Hamlet's feigned madness was part of his master plan to avenge his father, King Hamlet. Furthermore, Hamlet's feigned madness deceived Polonius into believing that he was simply mad with love for Ophelia. Since Polonius was the king's advisor, King Claudius enjoyed great trust. After Polonius reads Hamlet's love letter, the king and queen begin to believe what Polonius is saying about Hamlet being simply madly in love. “Do you think this is it?” asked King Claudius. The queen replies: “Perhaps; very probable" (2.2.152-153). Therefore, Hamlet's feigned madness allowed Polonius, King Claudius, and Queen Gertrude to focus on something other than what Hamlet was doing. Hamlet was simply in love with Ophelia, hence the love letters. Polonius, as always, read more into the letter than there was to read.