Summary: The scene enters with Polonius talking with his servant, Reynaldo. He is instructing him to go to Paris and observe Laertes. He also wants him to spread rumors about his son, mostly about Laertes being involved in wild behaviors with alcohol and the like - not to ruin his reputation, but just enough to give it a slight taint. Ophelia then enters, having just witnessed a horrible event. Hamlet had visited her, his clothing out of place and acting very strangely, as she put it. He had grabbed her hand and frightened her. Polonius thinks that hamlet may have gone insane, and feels it is his duty to report it to King Claudius at once.

Questions: What happened to Polonius' wife - did he ever have one or did she die in an accident? What are Polonius' intentions in sending Reynaldo to taint his son's name? If...