Essay, Research Paper: Prince Henery's Transformation

"This play is not about King Henry IV but about the future King Henry V." The
play talks primarily about Prince Henry's growth from a young foolish man to a mature
adult. The Prince's growth is mainly measured by the way his father feels or would feel (if
he knew) about the Prince's actions. At first Hals actions seem rebellious and immature.
Later Hals realizes his behaviors aren't what his father expects. Finally Hal changes his
actions and starts behaving like the Prince he is.
Prince Hal, although in his early twenties, acts like a rebellious adolescent. He
goes out and drinks and jokes with his friend almost every night. It does not seem to
bother him that it is ruining both his and his father's reputations.
POINS: Now, my good sweet honey lord, ride with us
to-morrow: I have a jest to execute that I cannot
manage alone. Falstaff, Bardolph, Peto and Gadshill
shall rob those men that we have already waylaid;
yourself and I will not be there; and when they have
the booty, if you and I do not rob them, cut this head
off from my shoulders.
The Prince often finds himself being coerced into doing things that deep down inside he
disagrees with. This kind of behavior is not the behavior of a future King.
I prithee, do thou stand in
some by-room, while I question my puny drawer to
what end he gave me the sugar; and do thou never
leave calling 'Francis,' that his tale to me may be
nothing but 'Anon.' Step aside, and I'll show thee a
precedent.

Prince Hal shows his insensitivity by playing childish jokes on his friends and other
acquaintances. The Prince doesn't realize that these tricks cause people to lose respect for
him. If he does not receive respect from the people, he will find it difficult to rule in the
future.
Prince Henry began to realize that he had to change his ways and that he could no
longer act like a child. It was now a time in his life that a change needed to take place.
FALSTAFF:…No, my good lord; banish Peto, banish
Bardolph, banish Poins: but for sweet Jack Falstaff,
kind Jack Falstaff, true Jack Falstaff, valiant Jack Falstaff,
and therefore more valiant, being, as he is, old Jack
Falstaff, banish not him thy Harry's company, banish
not him thy Harry's company: banish plump Jack, and
banish all the world.
PRINCE HENRY: I do, I will.

Prince Hal is coming to grips with his and his friend's inappropriate behaviours. The
Prince's comment to Falstaff during their play hint toward his change of mind. Falstaff
asks that he not be banished but the Prince answers "I do, I will." The comment 'I will'
insinuates that when Hal becomes King he will banish Falstaff. He lets Falstaff know that
the foolishness had to stop.
As thou art to this hour was Richard then
When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh,
And even as I was then is Percy now.

The King told Hal that if he does not stop his wild behavior he would lose the throne to
his enemy Hotspur. The King feels Hotspur reputation, which is better than Hals, will
win him the throne in the future.
Prince Henry's transformation is almost complete and he is portraying
characteristics of an adult.
And God forgive them that so much have sway'd
Your majesty's good thoughts away from me!
will redeem all this on Percy's head
And in the closing of some glorious day
Be bold to tell you that I am your son;
When I will wear a garment all of blood
And stain my favours in a bloody mask,
Which, wash'd away, shall scour my shame with it:
Prince Hal wants his father to love him and he knows that for it to happen he must leave
his old ways behind. Hal decides to prove his behavioural change by fighting in his
father's army. "O, Harry, thou hast robb'd me of my youth!/ I better brook the loss of
brittle life/ Than those proud titles thou hast won of me;" When the Prince killed
Hotspur his transformation was almost complete. Hal who was viewed as a wimp has
earned the honor he has gotten from killing his enemy, Hotspur. "Myself and you, son
Harry, will towards Wales,/ To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March." The King
is now proud of his son. Before the King didn't really want his son to fight in his army but
the King know has a change of hear. The Prince is now molded into the figure the King
always wanted. The Prince is now brave, loyal and noble.
At the beginning of the transformation the Prince was rebellious and irresponsible.
He did not realize that what he did could come back to haunt him in the future. The
second stage of the transformation the Prince became aware of the problem he was
creating for himself. The King felt the Prince's behaviours were not suitable for a man of
his status. The King also felt the continuation of this kind of behaviour could jeopardize
his son's chances of becoming the future King. Now that Hal has been enlightened on the
effects of his conduct he can now change his ways. Hal starts this change by enrolling in
his father's army. Hal finally earns his father's respect by killing Hotspur, Hals threat to
the throne.