Prince Hal

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Prince Hal is the standard term used in literary criticism to refer to William Shakespeare's fictional portrayal of the young Henry V of England as a prince before his accession to the throne, taken from the diminutive form of his name used in the plays almost exclusively by Falstaff. Henry is called "Prince Hal" in critical commentary on his character in Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2, though also sometimes in Henry V when discussed in the context of the wider Henriad. Hal is portrayed as a wayward youth who enjoys the company of petty criminals and wastrels. This depiction draws on exaggerations of the historical Prince Henry's supposed behaviour in his youth. Critics have widely discussed the question of whether Hal's character is cynical or sincere.