Shakespeare’s historical play, “Henry IV, Part 1,” presents King Henry’s son, Prince Hal, as an unruly, hedonistic teenager whose lifestyle is contrary to that of a prince. Following Hal’s streak of poor conduct, King Henry rejects Hal and proclaims that he would rather Hotspur be his son. Falstaff acts as Hal’s inept guide on life’s path as he loses his father’s respect. Through a conscious decision, Prince Hal begins his transformation to the son his father has longed for and the prince his country deserves. Hal’s lifestyle change allows his father to once again accept him and trust that he will succeed as king in the future. Prince Hal’s shortcomings are evident from the start as he is seen at the bar carousing with Falstaff and the commoners. …show more content…
The fact that Hal’s judgment has merit comes up when Fred Tromly asserts, “...the King complacently assumes that his way is best, and so he prefers Hotspur to Hal on the grounds that Hotspur is following in his footsteps...inevitably Hotspur's imitation of the King's ambition, if successful, would involve usurping him and having him killed.” (Tromly, Pg. 114). Following his apparent transformation, people around him, especially his father, begin to have faith in his future success. Hal’s awareness of his obligations as prince and eventually as king comes about during his tenure fighting in the rebellion. He acknowledges the fact that he has the responsibility of protecting the livelihoods of the people of his country, which he will have to lead in the future. As King Henry appears to be in danger of losing in a fight with Douglas, Prince Hal intervenes and saves his father’s life. Immediately after this occurs, King Henry responds, “Stay and breathe a while: thou has redeem’d thy lost opinion and show’d thou makest some tender of my life, in this fair rescue of my life.” (V.IV.3002). Through his son’s heroic action, Henry realizes that his son truly cares for him and has undergone a metamorphosis in his lifestyle. He admits to his son that he has gained back his respect and has optimism for the future of the kingdom. In the last scene, King Henry leaves the fate of the captured Douglas up to Hal. He opts to release Douglas on the grounds that he fought bravely in battle. This decision only could have been made with the experience and wisdom gained by Prince Hal through his