Henry IV, Part One | Prince Hal
In the first of three excerpts, Garth Lloyd Evans asserts that Hal's reformation is a carefully planned event. Evans discusses the two worlds of the play: that of kingship and ceremony, and the natural world, and argues that Hal is the connection between these worlds. Next, Herbert Weisinger argues that Hal is "the ideal hero" and that his reformation is calculated. In the last excerpt, Charles Mitchell offers a detailed account of Hal's education, drawing attention to the characters Hal learns from.
The primary debate regarding the character of Hal concerns his reformation, or transformation, as it has been called by various critics. Some critics, including Gareth Lloyd Evans and Herbert Weisinger maintain that Hal's reformation is an act. The "act" involves Hal's friendship with Falstaff, his immersion in the world of England's commoners, his seeming irresponsibility and the carelessness he seems to demonstrate where his reputation as Prince is concerned. Evans argues that Hal's purpose is to gather information about the common people, the people he will one day rule....
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