Deception and Hamlet's Fall Deception is one of the main causes of Hamlet's fall. This is demonstrated in three instances in the game. First, Polonius spies on Hamlet while he is talking privately with his mother Gertrude. Secondly, Claudius sends Hamlet to England. Finally, Laertes and Claudius plan to kill Hamlet. The first way in which deception leads to Hamlet's final downfall is through Polonius' espionage. In Act III, scene iii, Polonius decides to help the king by spying on Hamlet and his mother when he says: "My lord, [the king] is going to his mother's closet. Behind the tapestry I will take myself to hear the trial. " (III; iii; 28 - 29) In Act III, scene iv, Polonius takes the opportunity and overhears a conversation between Hamlet and his mother, hoping that Hamlet will confide in his mother something that could be used against him. Unfortunately for Polonius, Hamlet overhears this offstage and (thinking that Polonius is actually a spy for King Claudius) immediately stabs and kills him. This event contributes to Hamlet's downfall because Claudius is able to use it as an excuse to send Hamlet to England. Officially, the king sends Hamlet away, "for your special safety" (IV; iii; 37) with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern because murder might make him enemies. Privately, however, Claudius plans to have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern go with Hamlet to convey a message to the king of England that Hamlet must be executed. Furthermore, by sending Hamlet away, Claudius is protecting himself because Hamlet is "loved by the distracted multitude [the audience]." (IV; iii; 4) So, if Hamlet were to show the people that Claudius had killed Hamlet's father, then they might believe him and, as a result, overthrow and kill Claudius. So, the downfall is that Claudius wants Hamlet dead. Furthermore, if Claudius' plan works, Hamlet dies and his father's death will not be avenged. Thus, if Polonius had not spied on Hamlet and Gertrude, Hamlet would not have killed Polonius and therefore Claudius would not have a sufficient excuse to send Hamlet to England. Fortunately for Hamlet, Claudius's deception fails. This deception, however, still contributes to Hamlet's eventual downfall. On board the ship to England, Hamlet discovers that Claudius' message was sent by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet explains later: "I attempted to discover them, [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern] granted my wish, they touched their package, and at last they withdrew"..