Polonius's privacy problem

Is it ok to invade a fellow friends privacy when they seem deeply introuble. In Shakespears "Hamlet" this seems to be a big question for many. I believe that Polonius definately stepped over the line with this one but it was for a good reason. Obviously Hamlet is going through a horrible depression and its putting the lives of many close to him in jeopardy. Polonius needed to see what is going on in his head.

Torture in the old days

In the Rennisance period torture was a punishment for theft, treason, and many other things like murder. They were a lot more serious with punishments for alot of reasons. There were alot more poor people then rich or middle class people back in the day. The poor people needed to be controled and disciplined. Times were a lot different in Shakespears time.