Shakespeare uses prose for specific reasons: to denote madness, to mark a character who is of a low station in life, in letters, etc. In Act 2, sc. 2, when Hamlet is talking with Polonius, the prose serves two purposes. First, it helps to make Hamlet appear mad, and second, it shows Hamlet's contempt for Polonius by treating Polonius like he is lowly. When Hamlet is talking with the players, he talks in prose, possibly, to attempt to be on their level because he is a gracious host. Throughout the play, whenever Hamlet wants to seem mad, he speaks in prose.
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