Hamlet's 'madness' takes a toll on the reactions of the king and queen. in the scene with queen gertrude and hamlet in the bedroom hamlet reacts instinctively. stabbing the curtain when he hears a stir, he stabs polonius to death. this can be compared to hamlet's missed opportunity of killing king claudius while he was seen in his bedroom. hamlet killed polonius on accident, although when given the chance to avenge his father's death he retreats. it is apparent that he is afraid to act rationally, instead choosing to act without reason hoping to accidentally gain vengeance for his father.