Madness in Shakespeare's Hamlet Madness may be "mental incapacity caused by an unmentionable injury." Such wounds often are not easily perceived but may be revealed in time of stress. Hamlet's question, "have you a daughter?"(Act II. Sc2 182) Polonius about the Prince's emotional state. What is hidden will surely be told to Cloudius by his adviser. Laertes' search for revenge is sharper proof that madness in degrees of publicity causes harm to the observers. Claudius promise "no wind of blame"(Act IV, Sc.7,66) once Laertes kills Hamlet; perhaps this is what the uncle has sought all along for hi