As Polonius finishes telling Reynaldo how to spy on Laertes, Ophelia enters seemingly distraught. Fear creeps into her face as she begins to cry about her recent encounter with Hamlet. She claims he has gone mad.
Though he says nothing, she interprets his movements as of one who has become crazed:
" He took me by the wrist and held me hard.
... Long stayed he so.
At last, a little shaking of mine arm,...
He raised a sigh so piteous and profound
As it did seem to shatter all his bulk
And end his being.
... He seemed to find his way without his eyes,
For out o'doors he went without their helps
And to the last bended their light on me." (Shakespeare 79)
Through this description of an interaction that we only know through the eyes and opinion of one person, Polonius believes he has made a mistake in prohibiting his daughter from seeing Hamlet. Because he does not have any outside sources to ask or depend upon in this situation, he assumes that Ophelia's account must be correct and therefore, tells the king of what he knows. In doing so, he also seeks a large reward. He seems to care less about the feelings and well-being of his daughter when giving the king the new found information, but rather personal satisfaction and personal gain.
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