The discovery of the missing goblet in Benjamin's sack strikes the brothers with absolute disbelief, triggering a profound emotional and physical reaction. Overwhelmed by helplessness, shame, and the terrifying thought that their father will die of grief if Benjamin does not return, they tear their garments [ביאור יש״ר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This act is not a formal expression of legal mourning, which would require tearing all their clothes, but rather a spontaneous outpouring of deep sorrow restricted to their outer garments [העמק דבר].
A powerful principle of measure for measure underlies this painful moment. Years earlier, the brothers caused their father Jacob to tear his clothes in vain when they brought him Joseph's torn tunic. Now, God orchestrates events so that they too tear their clothes in vain, manipulated by Joseph's hidden plot [הטור הארוך, הדר זקנים, צאינה וראינה]. This divine balancing of accounts also extends to Joseph's son, Manasseh, who acted as the messenger pursuing the brothers and triggering their distress. As a consequence for causing their garments to be torn, his own future tribal inheritance in the land of Israel was eventually torn and divided across both sides of the Jordan River [הדר זקנים, צאינה וראינה].
During this intense crisis, every brother tears his clothes, including Benjamin. Frustrated and angry, the brothers strike Benjamin between his shoulders, accusing him of being a thief and the son of a thief, a harsh reference to his mother Rachel stealing her father's idols. Yet, because Benjamin endures this intense humiliation despite being completely innocent, he is granted a double reward in the future. His descendant, Mordecai, will one day be dressed in royal garments, and the Divine Presence will ultimately rest in Benjamin's tribal portion, with the Temple built directly between his shoulders [הדר זקנים, צאינה וראינה].
Following the initial shock, the brothers organize themselves to return to Egypt. They focus on lifting the heavy physical loads back onto their animals [רלב״ג, ביאור יש״ר]. Each man loads his own donkey independently, a shift from when they previously unloaded their sacks together. This highlights their immense physical strength. Despite the crushing emotional crisis, they do not need any assistance to lift the heavy burdens [רש״י, משכיל לדוד]. Some suggest that while they previously helped one another to avoid violating Sabbath carrying laws, they now act independently to project power and readiness for potential battle [פרדס יוסף].
Finally, the brothers head back to the Egyptian capital. Although they are walking into a massive, heavily fortified metropolis, they simply view it as just another city. As they march back fully prepared to wage war and secure Benjamin's freedom, the sheer size of the Egyptian stronghold means absolutely nothing to them. In their fearless state of mind, they treat the capital as though it were a tiny, insignificant village of ten people [רש״י].