amlet's oldest friends) to investigate the situation: "Some little time; so by your companies To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather So much as from occasions you may glean, Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus That, opened, lies within our remedy." (II:2, ll 14-18) Claudius, at this early point in the play, is slightly nervous of Hamlet's state of mind. Although Hamlet has not yet done or said anything that distinctly proves that he knows of Claudius' wrongdoing, Claudius is still suspicious. Ironically, he is worried about being deceived by Hamlet, so he sends two of his friends to spy him to learn what is bothering him. Laertes expresses a further example of the fear of deceit in his conversation to Ophelia regarding Hamlet: "His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own; For he himself is subject to his birth. He may not, as unvalued persons do, Carve for himself, for on his choice depends The safety and health of his whole state," (I:3, ll 17-21) Laertes fears that Hamlet is not sincere in his love for Ophelia. He tells her that since he is of royal blood, he is not free to choose his own wife. The court and other royals must decide who is the best choice to be queen, for the safety of Denmark. Hamlet knows this to be true, and therefore, any sign of love that he gives her must be false. Polonius agrees with Laertes opinion of the situation, thus he forbids Ophelia to see him anymore (1:4, ll 138-142). Both men feel that they are protecting Ophelia from possible deceit by Hamlet. It is the fear of being deceived that is so prevalent in Hamlet, as characterized by Horatio, Claudius, and Laertes & Polonius that leads to further deceptive action. It is ironic that the characters who fear deception are the very ones who doll it out so freely. One such character who uses deceit often as a means of investigation is Polonius. In the third scene of the second act, Polonius entreats upon Reynaldo to go to Paris to learn as muc...
