GERTRUDE                More matter with less art.

POLONIUS      Madam, I swear I use no art at all.

That he is mad, ’tis true, ’tis true ’tis pity,

And pity ’tis ’tis true: a foolish figure!

But farewell it, for I will use no art.

Mad let us grant him then, and now remains

That we find out the cause of this effect –

Or rather say the cause of this defect,

For this effect defective comes by cause.    (2.2.95-103)

More matter with less art, ‘suggests’ Gertrude, perhaps cutting across Claudius, about to say something more intemperate. Could you just give us the facts, stop dressing them up with all this rhetorical elaboration and quibbling? Madam, I swear I use no art at all. Polonius is affronted, or perhaps is concerned that Gertrude thinks that this counts as art, this entry-level display of wit. I’m not being artful at all; I’m not concealing anything from you! (Another concern: I’m not sugaring the pill, I’m telling you straight!) That he is mad, ’tis true—it’s the absolute truth!—’tis true ’tis pity—and that’s unfortunate—and pity ’tis ’tis true. It’s all very sad. A foolish figure! The stuffing might go out of him here a little, yes I know I’m just playing with words. Or else continued magnificent unconcern. But farewell it, for I will use no art. Plain-speaking from now on. Mad let us grant him then, let’s agree on that (as if he’s setting out the grounds for a debate, or an equation) and now remains that we find out the cause of this effect. We know the answer, as it were—but what is the question?? (ha!) what has produced this state? WHY is Hamlet mad? But Polonius can’t help himself: or rather say the cause of this defect (rather than effect) for this effect defective comes by cause. Madness is properly speaking a defect, a disability, a negative state rather than a positive one. Got to keep things neat, make sure that all terms are accurately defined and understood. However, there will still be a cause, a reason, and we will discover it.