Spying on Your Own Family — Hamlet

Polonius sends Reynaldo to Paris with money and instructions to spy on Laertes. He tells the servant to ask about Danish students in the city, then casually spread minor lies about Laertes gambling or drinking so others will correct or confirm the gossip. Polonius calls this bait of falsehood that catches carp of truth, finding directions out by indirection.

Reynaldo accepts the mission with little pushback. Ophelia then enters frightened, describing Hamlet in disarray: doublet unbraced, stockings fouled, pale, knees knocking, gripping her wrist, staring at her face, sighing, and leaving without a word. Polonius decides love madness caused the scene and blames himself for ordering Ophelia to reject Hamlet's letters and access.

He rushes with her to the king, convinced the secret must be told because hiding it would cause more grief than speaking. The chapter pairs parental surveillance abroad with romantic control at home, showing how Polonius's fear-driven meddling produces the instability he claims to prevent.