ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Meaning: Polonius tells Queen Gertrude that the cause of Hamlet’s madness is known to him–Hamlet’s love for Ophelia. The madness is referred to by him as the effect, the cause being his love. As his madness is a defect in Hamlet’s personality, he describes it as a defective effect.

Detailed explanation-2: -29. What does Polonius think is the cause of Hamlet’s madness? He thinks that Hamlet is upset about Ophelia rejecting him because he is so in love with her.

Detailed explanation-3: -Speaking of people who spy on their children, Polonius enters. He claims he has found the source of Hamlet’s madness, but first, the King really ought to meet his ambassadors. Thyself do grace to them and bring them in.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hamlet plans to act crazy in order to wait for the best time to kill Claudius. The only person who could actually pose a threat to Hamlet’s plans is fooled by Hamlet’s guise. Polonius our CIA equivalent, believes Hamlet is going crazy for his daughter Ophelia.