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The next to suspect the real nature of his madness is his own
school fellows Guildenstern and Rosencrantz. Guildenstern
finds crafty madness in him and Hamlet himself reveals the
truth to them:
“I am but mad north-north west/When the wind is southerly/I
know a hawk from a handsaw”
He tells Guildenstern that he cannot make him a “wholesome
answer”, as his “wits are diseased”, and it is of no use if he
expected to “ pluck out the heart of his mystery/ And sound
him from the lowest note to the top of his compass.” When
Rosencrantz is unable to comprehend his witty remarks, Hamlet
simply states:
“A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.”