Over the centuries since Shakespeare first wrote Henry IV Parts I and II, the character of Prince Hal has always been toted as the an irresponsible wanton youth who undergoes a great and miraculous transformation to astound all of England as a great leader. But, what if Hal did not in fact undergo this supposed reformation? What if he didn’t actually change at all? While it is all too obvious at first glance that Hal appears to transform from a playful boy to a wise and temperate man, there is nonetheless evidence which also supports a second interpretation of his character, an interpretation that proposes that Hal did not change because he was already a great and responsible prince from the very beginning.