Hamlet: A Lesson in Espionage
Chapter 2
Disclaimer- Yeah, so I am still not Shakespeare. Nor am I an owner of the Folger Shakespearian Library. Sorry.
A/N- so I realized to late that I started in the middle of Act 1, but instead of fixing it, I make passing mention to it in this chapter. But if you think about it, as I did, Polonius really doesn't do anything until Act 2, so I don't think it makes that big of a difference that I skipped most of Act 1. So here's the next part. Enjoy, to any of you out there who are reading this.
Polonius woke to the sound of a lark chirping outside his window. Shaking off the grip of sleep he reflected on the past night's amazing events. A part of him still thought himself mad, but others had seen the ghost of the deceased king as well. It was the reason he'd been in that tower in the first place.
After Claudius' first holding of Court, seeing his son Laertes to his ship back to France, and steering his only daughter Ophelia away from Hamlet, Polonius had overheard the guards, Marcellus, Bernaordo, and Hamlet's dear friend Horatio, telling the Prince a grand tale of the king's ghost wandering about the castle. Polonius had thought it a rather cruel joke so soon after the funeral. But when Hamlet had agreed to accompany the guards on their night watch, Polonius had deemed it his duty to the new king to discover what was taking place in the castle of Ellsinore.
And now, as the old man sat on his bed, he knew it was no prank, nor a trick of the light. There was no mistaking those features, even from his high vantage point. Nor was there any way of mistaking the fact that the figure of King Hamlet had glowed faintly with a pearly luminescence. Or he had not appeared to have any substance to him. His eyes had not deceived him, and his brain would not believe them. Only his heart knew the truth, King Hamlet walked the walls of Ellsinore again. The question was, what to do with this knowledge?
Certainly he wouldn't go to the king with it. Claudius, after coming to power quite suddenly, wished to have a long, glorious, and peaceful reign. He would hardly appreciate it if his head advisor came to his with the news that his dead brother now wandered the halls of the castle. No, Polonius would keep that bit of news from his kings ears, and in doing so, keep his position as head advisor.
Polonius rose from his bed and dressed himself. Now that he had sorted out his thoughts, he had real work to do.
After he had broken his nightly fast, Polonius realized his son might have forgotten something in his haste to get back to school. Not sure if he had sufficient funds, he hurriedly scribbled down a few notes and a letter to Laertes. Then he drew a hefty sum from his personal funds and enclosed it in an envelope along with his letter and notes. Next he sent an excess guard in search of his man Reynaldo. Polonius cracked the door a bit and knelt down in front of it, waiting for Reynaldo's arrival.
When he saw the tall, dark haired young man turn the corner, he hastily found him self a seat and made himself look busy. Reynaldo knocked twice on the door and opened it, not bothering to wait for permission to enter.
Polonius stood up and smiled warmly at the man. "Reynaldo! Welcome!"
The young man inclined his head even so slightly. "Sir."
Polonius went to him and slung an arm over his shoulders. "Reynaldo, I have an errand I'd like you to see to," he said. Reynaldo looked sideways at him.
"An errand?"
Polonius grinned. "Not really an errand, per se, but more like a trip." He waited to see the man reaction before he continued. Polonius let go of him and took a step back, in order to get a better look at the man. Reynaldo appeared interested.
"My son, Laertes, attends school in France, and he left yerstermorn. But I fear he left o'er quick, and in his haste he has forgotten something. I was rather hoping you were inclined to take a trip to France?"
Reynaldo made a show of considering it, but after only a few moments deliberation he agreed heartily. Polonius had known he would; it was not often the common people of Denmark got the opportunity to travel, especially when the trip was paid for by others.
He smiled warmly at Reynaldo. "Ah, good man. You make an old man very happy indeed." Polonius went to his desk and picked up the thick envelope and placed in the young man's hands.
"When you arrive in France it would mean ever so much to me if you would deliver this money and these notes to my son."
Reynaldo tucked the envelope into his tunic. "I will, my lord."
Polonius nodded. "Very good." He was about to dismiss the man to his task, when another thought occurred to him.
"Good Reynaldo, might I charge you with another task in France?" Reynaldo nodded uncertainly, and Polonius continued, "Before you visit Laertes, make you some inquires as to his behavior."
Reynaldo nodded again, as if this were an obvious answer. "I had intended it, my lord."
"Very good. Find me out what Danes are in France, and how and why, and by what mean they know my son. But do not let on that you know him personally. But say instead that you 'know his father and his friends, and so in part him'. Do you understand me?" Polonius smiled at him again.
"Aye, very well, my lord."
Polonius clapped him on the back. "By 'in part' you may mean 'not well'. But it turn out that he be a raucous young man, addicted and so, I pray you put him on, make little insinuations. None so great as would dishonor him, mark you, but little things, rebellious things common to youth and freedom."
"Such as gaming, my lord?" Reynaldo asked.
Polonius waved his arms about. "Yes, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarreling, licentiousness, or any others like that you may think of."
Reynaldo blanched. "But, my lord, would that not dishonor him as well?"
"Heavens no! You may phrase these insinuations as you please, thus rendering them less distasteful. I do not mean you to put to a scandal, such that he is wanton with women. But merely start a rumor or two, breathing that he is susceptible to the temptations of independence." Polonius looked him in the eye, silently willing his compliance. Reynaldo hedged and started to protest.
"But, my good lord—"
Polonius frowned, silencing him. "Know you where to do this?" he asked.
"Reynaldo sighed and gave in. "Aye, my lord, I would know that."
Polonius smiled once more. "Marry, Reynaldo, here's my drift. And I think it a rather clever trick, if I do say so myself. That by you laying these slight sullies to his name, we ensure his action and calling out his accusers and correcting their folly, thus proving his virtue and innocence." Polonius was about to say more, but his mind gave out on him and he forgot all in an instant what he had been saying and what he was about to say.
"Reynaldo, where was I? I seem to have forgotten my place."
"At 'proving his virtue and innocence', my lord."
Polonius snapped his fingers, yes, that was it. He picked up where he had left off. "Ah, yes, thank you. So you see, with these small falsehoods, and my sneaky methods, we shall know quite well the character of my son. Understand?"
Reynaldo nodded. "Yes, my lord."
"Very good. You may take your leave and set your affairs in order. You have a ship to catch in the morning." The young man's eyes widened.
Apparently he had not expected to get his trip underway so soon. He turned to go.
"And Reynaldo, I would that you observe him and make your report to me when you return. Send me no letters." Polonius said firmly.
Reynaldo nodded again. "I shall, my lord."
"Farewell, Reynaldo."
Polonius turned back to his desk and listened for the door closing. No sooner had the door shut than he ran to it and cracked it a bit and watched the young man leave, muttering quietly to him self.
Polonius chuckled to himself. Now that he had the possible problem of his son under control, he could get about figuring out the mystery of the apparition.
Mere moments later the door was flung open and his daughter Ophelia burst into his room looking frightened and as if she had been weeping. She ran into his arms.
"Ophelia, my sweet, what has happened?" He asked her kindly.
"Oh, father, my lord, I was so frightened!" she cried into his shoulder.
Polonius gently drew her away from him and wiped her eyes. He held her at arms length and looked into her eyes. "My child, tell me what has happened," he commanded softly.
Ophelia sobbed once more before calming enough to relate her tale.
"Oh, father. I was most focused on my weaving in my closet when Lord Hamlet entered. He looked for all the world like a common drunkard. His doublet was unlaced, and he sported not hat. His stockings were askew and turned down at his ankles. His face was as pale as his shirt and his knees knocked together with fright. He appeared shaken, as if he had witnessed a ghost. He came to me like this."
Polonius thought on this for a moment. Had Hamlet caught wind of his order for Ophelia to stay clear of the prince and come to see for himself if it was true? He doubted it, but then, things labeled secret very seldom remained that way. News and gossip had a way of spreading through the castle and court of Ellsinore much like a wildfire.
As for her comment on the ghost, Hamlet had well and truly seen a ghost, as had he. Polonius feared the Kings reaction if he learned of the apparition, so he steered Ophelia away from that line of thought.
"Was it that he was mad for your love?" he asked.
Ophelia shook her head. "My lord, I know not what brought on this change of mood. But somehow I fear it is so."
Polonius chewed on his lower lip. "Did he say anything?"
She shook her head once more. "Not a word, my lord. He but took me by the wrists and held me hard. He held me at arms length and searched my face, as if he sought to draw it from memory. Long he held me like that. Then he let me go and shook his head 'round and let breathe a sigh so pitiful and profound that it seemed to end his being. Then he abruptly left, finding his way out the door and in to the hall without the use of his eyes. Almost like the last thing he wished to lay his gaze on was me."
Polonius thought for a moment, then made his decision. "Come, I will go to the king. This is the very ecstasy of love and it bids him to do strange and desperate things. I am sorry that this has fallen on you. Tell me, have you spoken harshly to him recently?"
Ophelia's brow furrowed. "No, my lord. I have but done as you have commanded. I refused his letters and kept myself apart from him."
Polonius winced in sudden understanding. "Ah," he started sadly. "That has made him mad. I am sorry, with better foresight and judgment I would have known that this would happen. I had anticipated him to act with proper discretion, rather than the discretion of the younger generation, or lack-there-of." He hugged her about the shoulders as a late apology. "But now we must go see the king. This must be known, for I fear if it is left a secret we would do more harm than good. Come."
Polonius motioned his daughter to follow him and left his suite at a brisk walk, shutting the doors firmly behind them.
A/N- so there's chapter 2. Nothing much to say here, so I won't. Except that if anyone is reading this at all, you need to review. Otherwise how will I know what to do to improve? Anyway, Thanks!!