Hamlet enters reading a book, seemingly distracted. Polonius begins to converse with him and ask him if he knows who he is. When Hamlet claims that Polonius is a "fishmonger" and an "honest man", he knows that he cannot recognize him in his madness, yet continually talks about his daughter. In trying to continue their conversation, Polonius asks about what Hamlet is reading:
POLONIUS: What do you read, my lord?
HAMLET: Words, words, words.
POLONIUS: What is the matter, my lord?
HAMLET: Between who?
POLONIUS: I mean the matter that you read, my lord.
HAMLET: Slanders, sir. (Shakespeare 95)
In being unable to understand what Hamlet is speaking about, he believes that "though this be madness, yet there is method in 't." (Shakespeare 95) Hamlet continues to talk to Polonius, acting as if he were crazy, yet he completely understands how Polonius influenced Ophelia's ignorance of Hamlet and his love. He seems to be completely aware and not crazy in the least bit.
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