Student Question

What are Prince Hal's character traits and motivations in Henry IV?

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Prince Henry, known as Hal, undergoes a series of transformations in the course of the play.

Initially, the young and impulsive Prince of Wales does not take seriously his role as the future king of England. Rather than immerse himself in the arts of statecraft and warfare and provide support for his beleaguered father, Hal prefers to waste his time drinking with disreputable companions. In the course of this carousing, however, he learns a great deal about what ordinary English people think. He also gains the support and friendship of Falstaff, although ultimately, he turns his back on him.

Hal acquires a different kind of understanding of what his country’s needs might be than he would get if he just hung out with elites. Although his avowed plan may sound like boasting or wishful thinking, he claims to be deliberately obscuring his brilliance (comparing himself to the sun) behind “foul and ugly vapours” that one seemed to be harming or strangling him.

Part of what makes Hal an interesting character is that he does manage to absorb much of the necessary knowledge without ever seeming to practice; by this, Shakespeare may be suggesting some genius in his nature. The fundamental soundness of Hal’s approach is contrasted with the vanity and impracticality of the other Henry, Hotspur, on the battlefield.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial