Prince Hal example essay topic

962 words
This play is not about King Henry IV but about the future King Henry V. The play talks primarily about Prince Henrys growth from a young foolish man to a mature adult. The Princes growth is mainly measured by the way his father feels or would feel (if he knew) about the Princes actions. At first Hals actions seem rebellious and immature. Later Hals realizes his behaviors arent 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 fathers 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 Gads hill 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 doesnt 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.

Princ 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 friends inappropriate behaviours. The Princes 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 Henrys 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 fathers 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 didnt 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 Princes behaviours were not suitable for a man of his status. The King also felt the continuation of this kind of behaviour could jeopardize his sons 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 fathers army. Hal finally earns his fathers respect by killing Hotspur, Hals threat to the throne.