RALPH: In Hamlet's strange account of the book he's reading, he paints an unflattering picture of an aging man just like Polonius, first making fun of his physical appearance, then noting his "plentiful lack of wit."

SARAH: As Polonius correctly observes, there is meaning in Hamlet's last remark. Polonius would become the same age as Hamlet if he could go backwards in time, just as a crab walks backwards physically.

RALPH: Of course, to the audience, Polonius's remark about there being method in Hamlet's madness is all too true. First of all, Hamlet's madness is, by his own admission, methodical — he is using his madness as a means to an end.

SARAH: And, of course, there is also method in Hamlet's strange replies, for although they all sound delusional or nonsensical, each of them contains a barb at Polonius's expense.