One of the main themes of Shakespeare's King Henry IV, Part I, is Prince Hal's "act of becoming" as he goes from Falstaff's "gentle wag" (I.ii.23) to "righteous savior » of King Henry (V.iii. 48). The significance of the scenes at Boar's-Head Tavern, Hal's role-playing with Falstaff, his parodies of battles and Hotspur, and his low-level life in society, is that they constitute periods in the emergence of Prince Hal's personality, but they are calculated delays of his own choosing. By shirking his princely duties, he chose to play the role of the prodigal son until his father's throne was threatened and it was time to answer the call of duty. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay In his soliloquy at the end of Act 1, Hal reveals much of his nature. First, he is not confused, faced with a dilemma, or even guilty of being a wayward son. Secondly, he is well aware that the environment in which he has chosen to evolve, tavern society, is a place of disorder and idleness. Yet it is a world that makes sense to the prince. He doesn't waste his time there, but trains for events that will happen later. When he talks about his reform, he is ironic. He is rebellious, but he does not need to reform. Hal knows his true nature and he will give up the “perpetual vacation” when it pleases him (I.ii.191-214). The prodigal son will return to the court of King Henry, but at his own pace. During this time, he will have a great time hanging out with the king of the Boars-Head Tavern, Sir John Falstaff. It is with Falstaff that Hal can exercise his mind. Their verbal exchanges illustrate that Hal is intelligent and a man with a certain sense of order, particularly with regard to law and time. He is much younger than Falstaff, but can match him insult for insult and pun for pun (II.ii.63-83). It is also the contrast between the two men which gives rise to their best verbal repartee. Falstaff has a complete disregard for law and order; Hal knows that thieves are hanged (II.ii66) and tells Falstaff that while he may be a mad prince, he is certainly not a thief (II.ii.142, 138). Hal always knows what time it is; Falstaff doesn't care. Chiding Falstaff for his lack of an ordered line of time, he says, "...unless hours be sack-cups, minutes, capons, clocks, the tongues of whores, dials for bouncing houses... the sun a pretty hot girl... (I.ii.7-10)". Hal says that the purse was snatched on Monday and that he became a "man of all moods" at precisely midnight (II.iv.94). The Prince of Wales is also a very prudent, if somewhat deceitful, man. The Gadshall robbery incident gives us an example of his imagination and playfulness. Although the trick against Falstaff is Roin's idea, it is a way for Hal to join in the fun without actually participating in the crime itself. He takes great pleasure and amusement in unmasking Falstaff, showing him to be a coward and a liar. Returning the stolen money with interest is a magnanimous gesture on Hal's part, but it also defends his princely reputation. After all, it was the king's money that was stolen. After Hal plays his trick on poor Francis, he immediately launches into his parody of Hotspur, linking the honorable Hotspur to a tavern servant. All Francis does is walk up and down the stairs, unable to decide whether to accept the prince's offer of money - a path to freedom - or fulfill his duty as an indentured servant. Everything that.