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.