"More matter, with less art"

In Act 2, Scene 2 of Hamlet, Polonius is addressing King Claudius and Queen Gertrude about the cause of Hamlet's odd behavior. Polonius is quite philosophical in his statements to the royals saying: "What majesty should be, what duty is, [w]hy day is day, night night, and time is time, [w]ere nothing but to waste night, day, and time" (II.ii.86-89). The juxtaposition of this philosophy with the declaration of Hamlet's madness is intended to draw comparison between those who seek truth about the world around themselves, philosophers, and Hamlet, who seeks the truth about the death of his father. Perhaps Polonius plays a foreshadowing role, artfully telling Claudius and Gertrude the true cause of Hamlet's odd behavior unbeknownst to them. Regardless, of Polonius' intentions, Gertrude's redirection by saying, "More matter, with less art," shows that she has no patience for verbosity (II,ii.95).