(All lyrics typed into this post belong to Lin Manuel Miranda and Mr. Miranda only. I can only aspire to have the incredible talent he has in lyricism. That being said, the musical Hamilton shall be mentioned in this post but does not belong to me. All rights go to Lin Manuel Miranda.)
My friends always tease me every time a writing or drawing opportunity is brought up in any class. If I am lucky both combined. Sure I pay attention in class, heck my eyes never leave the teacher’s unless an instruction was said to do an activity that consisted the opposite. But every time we have an opportunity for free writing and/or drawing, no boundaries, no direction. I will instantly perk up. To my embarrassment my friends know me too well to understand that this will happen anytime, anywhere.
I’m teased by my friends in an affectionate way, obviously, due to this one little perk. I mean my friends are such amazing individuals that each have earned my respect and we would do anything for each other. We are all diverse and I love that. They make everyday incredible and leave me smiling every time. But I can never deny that we tease each other. We’ve all got our inside jokes, definitely. I mean playfully tantalizing is basically our groups version of acknowledging the other in a humorous version of our own basically.
Okay story time;
So early last year my friends and I were discussing ideas for an essay we had to write and I was basically writing furiously on a piece of paper and sketching ideas for the additional part of the project. My friends and I all shared one laptop outside to play music and do bits of research for our projects. We obviously decided to play Hamilton. But unexpectedly this line came along one of the songs featured:
“How do you write like tomorrow won’t arrive? How do you write like you’re running out of time? How do your write like you need it to survive? How do you write every second you’re alive, every second you’re alive, every second you’re alive?”
Both my friends gave each other knowing looks, both smirking at me while I just gave them a look between confusion and wonder. This was around the time when I was just discovering the musical itself so I had only listened to a couple songs. The line was so intriguing and I saw why they pinpointed the lyric. This one lyric always keeps me going when I have given up. Because it makes me start thinking why I’ve started in the first place. And for some reason, after hearing that lyric, I felt like I could do my essay ten times better. Make it a worthwhile piece to read.
I have done posts where I fan girled about the musical Hamilton multiple times. But I never explained to you where it came from. Well the scene I wrote for you on the previous paragraph told just that. It took me at least a week to figure out that it was a line from a musical. It took me another week to listen to all forty-six songs. Listening intently to all 20,520 words non-stop.
Needless to say, It has earned the title of the best musical theater performance I have ever listened to in my life.
I have never, in my entire life, ever heard such a brilliant composition of song, of rap, of a historical and nonetheless undermined story. Each line a work of art itself. I mean it took Lin Manuel Miranda six years to write the entire thing. I don’t blame him though. I remember in one post, I added a URL to one of the songs, that song being Non-Stop, that song contained the lyric that my friends mentioned as well. So I hope some of you took the time to listen to it, but if you didn’t that’s okay, I’ll just go to that corner over there and cry now.
*sniff*
I’m just kidding.
Maybe.
You have no idea how much I just want to transport every song into every one of your brains and let you all listen for the next four and a half hours, but since that is physically impossible for me to do I might as well just describe the musical to you all.
*Major Spoilers Ahead*
(well technically these aren’t spoilers, I’m basically explaining history to you guys. So this isn’t spoiling. This is a history lesson. A slightly edited history. With legit rap lyrics . Anyway don’t blame me if you end up crying halfway through this post.) (0 – 0)
Alexander Hamilton was known historically to be an American Founding Father, a supporter of the American Constitution making him a Federalist. He founded nation’s financial systems, the coast guard, the New York Post newspaper, and the Federalist Party itself. But not many people seem to know his true life story. His tragedies, his loves, friendships, allies.
No one knew how much the eyes of history wanted him.
At the early age of ten, Alexander’s father fled and left him and his mother to stand for themselves. Ten years later, Alex and his mother became sick with the Yellow Fever. Alexander survived of course, but his mother. She easily found her deathbed and went.
She was buried in Christiansted, Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
This left a damaging impact on Alexander, seeing his mother die right in front of his eyes in a stage of such adolescence. But he kept moving onward. Alexander found a temporary home with his cousin, but his cousin committed suicide. I’m sorry, I just hate saying that phrase but I had to do so for this case. I’m sorry for those who detest the phrase just as I do. Anyway, this led to Alexander realizing that he had no choice but to fend for himself. Alexander did nothing but read. He read everything and anything he could find. He worked for his mother’s previous landlord. Trading goods that he himself could never afford alone for himself. He would desperately find any book to bore into his mind, finally deciding to board a ship heading to a new land. New York.
Thus represented in the first song in the entire musical by this line:
“There would have been nothin’ left to do for someone less astute. He would’ve been dead or destitute without a cent of restitution. Started workin’, clerkin’ for his late mother’s landlord, tradin’ sugarcane and rum and all the things he can’t afford. Scammin’ for every book he can get his hands on, plannin’ for the future. See him now as he stands on the bow of a ship headed for a new land. In New York you can be a new man.”
Sidenote; Something else that happened before he departed his birthplace, an awful hurricane had hit and yet he still survived. But there is this line in the musical that is sung multiple times, a prevailing lyric at that.
“I imagine death so much it feels like a memory.”
This was such a brilliant line that I spent days poring over it. I mean, here is Alexander, multiple times in his life has overcome becoming a victim in the unrelenting jaws of death. And this line was always sung in a song where he was on the brink of death. But when I think about it, without that hurricane, Alexander Hamilton would never have immigrated to America. Never would’ve been such a huge part of our history. We never would be in the place we are in today in modern day America.
Just imagine that.
Alexander Hamilton, only nineteen but he already had his entire life goals splayed out in front of him like a map with too many pinpoints to count. And boy calling him smart was an understatement. I mean if you made him take a modern day test on any subject besides U.S. History(because he didn’t witness some history for himself that happened ahead of his time)I bet you he would have beat almost every Stanford or Harvard student or any university in general. Plus get like 700% out of like a 100% test. Okay I may be stretching the exaggeration too much but I’m just tryin’ to state my claims here.
A line establishing this in the third song being:
“I’m only nineteen but my mind is older.”
Alexander docked in New York and couldn’t help noticing that a certain prodigy of Princeton College was crossing paths with him. A mister Aaron Burr. And what better way to introduce yourself by bantering them about how to be successful in life?
Keeping up?
No?
Me neither.
There conversation went a little something along the lines of Alexander basically being a little over excited, therefore ending up with a very traumatized Aaron Burr. But Burr seems to find this, fire in Hamilton that could be cultivated. Even giving the advice of;
“Talk less, smile more.”
“Don’t let them know what you’re against or what you’re for.”
This line is exceptionally inspirational for me because I don’t think before I speak and if you let me I can ramble and lecture for as long as I could. Hours upon hours on one topic until everyone else in the room is waiting for me to stop. And I have this habit of being so focused on doing whatever I’m working on that I just have this serious look on my face and everyone thinks I look mad. No, that’s not the case so it’s nothing personal. I’m just not aware of whether or not I’m glaring or smiling or doing a poker face for that matter. My facial muscles don’t send signals to my brain saying that I’m practically staring down my paper or screen while I’m giving whoever is in my company break into a cold sweat.
From that moment onward, Alexander’s life was a vivacious whirl of battle, intense wars including the American Revolutionary War. He was then well known as General George Washington’s aide- de- camp. Eventually receiving the ranking of leutenent colonel.
But throughout the various songs, each one introduces a new character body who was extremely important in American history.
First, off, the trio themselves; John Laurens, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (aka just Marquis de) Lafayette), and Hercules Mulligan. Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan are in awe of Alexander’s quick wit and buoyancy, as well as the undying ambition that was constantly pumping in his veins. So There they were, Alexander Hamilton, fast friends with John Laurens(his best friend)Lafayette, and Mulligan. The Fall Out Boys of the 1780s and 1800s. An incredible quote Alex sand was;
I’m just like my country—I’m young, scrappy, and hungry, and I am not throwing away my shot.
Describing his hunger to fight for America and build success for himself. Along with this line that I fell in love with:
The plan is to fan this spark into a flame.
I just want to add a side note that I was left speechless. Absolutely speechless at the brilliance of Lin Manuel Miranda. I know of no one who could cultivate words in the ways he does, manipulating them to create a bewitching new story that makes you feel so many emotions almost all at once. I strive to be just as talented as him in my writing and music. Just reading one of his speeches, songs, raps, anything, makes me swell with this passion and a fire burn in my eyes. The influence he has put upon me is indescribable and yet I have a thousand words.
John Laurens was completely against slavery and fought immensely to abolish it. Lafayette was extremely helpful in Revolution and was the key reason as to why France and America became allies against Britain. Mulligan was a tailor’s apprentice and was a spy in the Revolutionary War, as well as a member of the Sons of Liberty. These three men are historical figures that I have come to admire and become immensely inspired by since I first learned about them through the musical, and then once again in history class this year.
Now the Schuyler sisters. Descended from General Schuyler these three were born into a wealthy family and was well known in New York. Women envied them, men wanted to charm their way to earn their hearts. These three incredible woman who each in miscellaneous ways contributed to the war and the men more than most I had read about. The eldest, Angelica Schuyler, was spunky and quick minded, very beautiful and emanated a confidence that stole all attention just from the action of walking into a room. Elizabeth Schuyler, the middle sister had inherited her eldest sister’s way to bite back at any comment, a bookish woman at heart who cared deeper than both her sister’s combined in the acts of the war. Margarita Schuyler( known as Peggy to her family members and close friends, as well as the name portrayed in the musical itself)was underestimated due to living in the shadows of her two older sisters but proved herself just as vigorous and abundant as her two sisters.
Even in the song title The Schuyler Sisters in the musical is proof of this if you will read vivaciously Angelica sang:
“You want a revolution? I want a revelation. So listen to my declaration: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel!”
Elizabeth adding on with:
“Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now!”
Even when women were often underestimated, these three sisters back lashed and it clearly showed that those stereotypes had backfired beautifully.
Oh but my my, it seems that Caroline Schuyler,their mother, decided to throw a ball to finally find suitors for her dashing daughters. And it just so happens that Hamilton, Burr, and the rest of Alex’s friends went. And it seems that a romance was blossoming between Elizabeth Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton. Like a deep wound that could never be mended, Alexander’s love for Eliza grew with each beat of his heart and the throb of his temples. Though it took a while to cultivate that love with Eliza’s end of this wheel of affection.
Alexander Hamilton, the man who bowed to no one, gave his heart and soul onto a silver platter and placed it in front of Eliza to intertwine into one beautiful thing. Alexander’s love for his dear Eliza grew until he practically went mad with the mere thought of seeing his Betsey with someone else.
But wait
tHeRe’S mOrE.
Angelica Schuyler seems to have developed a yearning as well.
And that little voice in her head has developed a love for Mr. Sassy McSmarty Pants himself; Alexander Hamilton.
The tables have turned!!
*gasp*
The songs Helpless and Satisfied were both back to back in the audio and musical and both are incredible songs that portray the emotions either sister felt. Helpless is sung by Eliza and shows a sequence of events, from Angelica introducing her to little Hammy Ham, Hamilton addressing Philip Schuyler for Eliza’s hand in marriage and so on and so forth. The song ending with Eliza and Alex being bonded together for life through the act of marriage.
But then Angelica is singing Satisfied, and I don’t even think I can explain this properly so I’ll just put the link to the audio below (ALL RIGHTS GO TO LIN MANUEL MIRANDA THEREFORE I DO NOT OWN THIS SONG OR THE MUSICAL FOR THAT MATTER WE HAVE BEEN OVER THIS PEOPLE)
Now T H A T was a lot to process now wasn’t it? Her sister is already married to the one man she will truly love and she had to live with that. Can you put yourself in that situation for a second? I mean the one thing you can never let go, you can’t live or breath without, is taken away unintentionally by a person you equally care about. And you live the rest of your life pretending you never wanted it in the first place.
Will the tables turn once again?
Probably.
Will our blood pertinaciously flee south from the intensity?
Can’t confirm that but its a possibility?
Will we all pass out from the almost ridiculous amount of suspense and drama in this one love triangle that only goes multiple directions let us prevail and cause further conflict that will lead to our own hearts breaking and wish people could just love the people they love and don’t fight over and live happily ever after like in children’s books instead of mentally grabbing each other’s throats without even realizing that they are thinking just so and you regret it instantly afterward but feel even worse realizing that it was your instincts to read this post in the first place and now your probably blame me for this sudden jerk of emotions plaguing your senses further worsening your mental conditions?
. . . . . . .
Maybe.
Well okay then.
Now all we need is a super dramatic cut scene that includes a fight between the protagonist and an unexpected villain that throws of the entire plot line. And some weird lookin’ part of their body that is the equivalent to a deformed taco. But that didn’t happen in American history(I wouldn’t be surprised if it did but anyway)that didn’t happen soooo;
we’re movin’ on people keep up with the program!
Okay so, wait hold on, where was I again? Hold on let me just scroll up a little bi- ah! Angelica is talking about how she loves Alex but he already married Eliza and she just wants her sister to be happy and blah blah sadness blah depression blah blooh blah blah.
Jeez, I really doubt the fact that I don’t have ADD or ADHD. I have the precision and memory of a goldfish mongoose hybrid, if that exists. Which it probably doesn’t, but-
Okay moving on sorry,(not sorry).
But one thing I wanna point out is a line that Alexander says directly to Angelica upon there first meaning that basically defines my life to me:
“There’s a million things I haven’t done. Just you wait, just you wait.”
This line is so simple, but so straight forward. And I have never heard anything like this. Gods I, I can never be able to explain the emotions and the raw, animalistic passion that I felt listening to the line. His passionate voice truly replicating what he wanted to do in the world. As Alexander Hamilton in his role. But Lin Manuel Miranda also described his own lust.
I have never connected more with any lyric like that before.
And I don’t think, I ever will again.
There is so much I want to do, so many dreams. And there’s always this sense of urgency, this growling need for something I just can’t describe myself. I have so much of it that pumps constantly from when I wake to when I fall into the trance of sleep. I want to show people that I’m not just a girl who just writes and draws and plays some instrument. I don’t want to just be that girl you’ll see in the hallways at school. The girl you only see in person every few years since we’re so far apart across the globe. Not just the girl that has so many plans but can’t carry them out. I don’t want to just be
that girl.
A minority in the universe that hasn’t made an impact and never will.
I’m sick of being underestimated for what I can and can’t do.
But this lyric makes me feel like I have a chance, a chance to contribute in something huge. Something that will affect everyone. Let that fire consume everyone. This gives me a hope that I can. So
there’s a million things I haven’t done. But just you wait.
just you wait.
Now there seems to be a minor hurricane stirring in side Aaron Burr here. In the song after The Story of Tonight Reprise, the song Wait for It, focuses on Burr’s irritation toward every succession attacking Hamilton. But Hamilton and Burr are polar opposites if I haven’t cleared that already. Hamilton takes his chances and is outgoing, whilst Burr is willing to use is own philosophy and well, wait for what is to come that is in storage for him. The song included this spectacular lines as well;
I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable, I am an original.
Burr lost everyone he had ever loved, his mother, father, grandparents. Therefore he claims that Hamilton has something to prove, and that he has nothing to lose. As said in this line:
Hamilton faces an endless uphill climb. He’s got something to prove, he’s got nothing to lose.
So, well there really isn’t much you can say about this portion of the musical until you actually heard the song so. Yeah, listen to the musical. You’ll understand way more.
Once again Laurens, Lafayette, Burr, and Hamilton go marching off being the brave soldiers they are,
to there death.
No surprise, Hamilton leaves an anxious Eliza to fight for his country. The soldiers are struggling immensely, no food or water, forced to eat their own horses. Merchant’s denying them equipment. If I am correct, Hercules Mulligan eventually leaves to continue his apprenticeship, leaving Lafayette, Laurens, and Hamilton in the war. Laurens and Hamilton write essays and letters to fight against slavery, whilst Lafayette sends for French aids to send a ship or two to assist the American troops.
Hamilton is reluctant to be chosen to command, but each time he is denied his constant requests. Instead assigning a Mister Charles Whee- I mean Lee, Charles Lee for the job. This pisses of Hamilton pretty bad. Especially since during every single battle leading on with Charles Lee in command, goes awry because Mr. Lee is basically having a mental heart attack of fear. Finally, the Battle of Monmouth takes place and George Washington has had enough, so instead of having Hamilton lead and command, Lafayette is assigned to take the lead.
Hundreds of thousand soldiers died from fighting in hundreds of degree’s of heat. But the battle was won nonetheless in my knowledge of chronological events. Charles Lee was left behind by the troops, but that didn’t stop him from saying some pretty nasty stuff behind General Washington’s back. This snaps Hamilton’s last vein and therefore tells Washington his concerns. Washington waves him off and tells him to focus on the war and move along. Laurens however convinces himself and Hamilton that Charles Lee needs to be put in his place. And what better way to do that than invite someone to a duel to the death?
*jazz hands*
How a duel works, is to solve a conflict. the two opponents must meet at the spot chosen, go 20 paces(or in the musical 10 paces)backwards and face your opponent. Your pistols are loaded and its inevitable that someone could get killed or severely hurt. I mean, it’s a bullet what do you expect? I’m pretty sure no one duels anywhere, anymore. I mean this is basically murder so technically it’s illegal right? Well anyway this is the 1700 and 1800s get over it.
Charles Lee and Laurens are the opponents, whilst, Aaron Burr and Hamilton are the seconds. Hamilton is obviously on Lauren’s side on the situation, while Aaron Burr tries to patch up the conflict by talking some sense into Hamilton.
That obviously didn’t work.
So I conclude this portion with this line that Hamilton sings towards Laurens as he steady’s his position:
Then count., One two three four Five six seven eight nine Number Ten paces Fire”
Laurens shoots Lee on his side and Burr is vigilant to quickly get him to the medic. While Laurens and Hamilton bask in the satisfaction of leading the last straw and plucking it, Washington storms into the situation and boy is he furious. He ends up sending Hamilton home temporarily and Alexander thinks it because the general is mad. But no, there’s a reason behind it.
ELIZABETH SCHUYLER HAMILTON IS PREGNANT YO
Hamilton is ecstatic for the arrival of his first born but fears he won’t be able to provide for an unborn child and his wife. Him being a poor man who came from no family and had no income. He worries himself scarce and rethinks every accomplishment that he had placed behind him on an unstable shelf of self doubt. But Eliza a being the incredible woman sings this instead:
“Look at where you are. Look at where you started. The fact that you’re alive is a miracle. Just stay alive, that would be enough. And if this child. Shares a fraction of your smile. Or a fragment of your mind, look out world. That would be enough. I don’t pretend to know. The challenges you’re facing. The worlds you keep erasing and creating in your mind.”
But then, time passes and George Washington needs Alexander, his right hand man, back on the battle field. Eliza knows in her heart that Alexander is needed but still seemed hesitant. Alexander is with the same but before he can think to much, he finally comes back to George Washington and meets with him once again. But he wasn’t scolded, he wasn’t pleaded with, he wasn’t being given orders. Washington merely had valuable advice to give to the frivolity of the soldier before continuing on with a life of his own to cultivate and nourish:
“I was younger than you are now
When I was given my first command
I led my men into a massacre
Witnessed their deaths firsthand
Oh, I made every mistake
I felt the shame rise in me
And even now I lie awake
Knowing history,
has its eyes on me.
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story
I know that greatness lies in you
But remember from here on in
That history, has its eyes, on you.”
This is one of the most powerful lines I have ever heard.
This is so true and absolutely brilliant if you think about long enough. And trust me, I have. This is the kind of lyric that keep’s me awake at night, the score running in my head as the song repeats in my head. This sums up perfectly just how much Alexander Hamilton was valued in Washington’s mind, and the heads of everyone else who valued him.
Its the Battle of Yorktown guys! The adrenaline is driving inside everyone with Hamilton back. Laurens is in South Carolina fighting against slavery. Lafayette is waiting at Chesapeake Bay when the British scurry away from the battlefield holding a white flag. Hercules Mulligan is spying on the British for inside info regarding the British Government so the plan was absolutely perfect. Alex is completely okay with sacrificing himself for the birth of a new nation, but then he drives of the fact of coming home to Eliza, better yet to his son. Represented with this line;
“I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory
This is where it gets me: on my feet
The enemy ahead of me
If this is the end of me, at least I have a friend with me
Weapon in my hand, a command, and my men with me
Then I remember my Eliza’s expecting me…
Not only that, my Eliza’s expecting
We gotta go, gotta get the job done
Gotta start a new nation, gotta meet my son!”
What better way to motivate yourself in a hostile situation than think of the people who love you and you love just as much.
This was, no doubt the most important battle in the Revolution War of the United States. George Washington leading 17,000 French ally troops along with the American Colonists battling in troops against the 9,000 troops lead by General Charles Cornwallis. A week of fighting passed before a man in a redcoat stood frantically waving a white handkerchief. The joy is contagious as the soldiers are hollering in their victory, Alexander joyous to bring a new nation along with his son. Lafayette finally bringing freedom to America and France. Laurens questioning what this means for slaves and citizens alike.
Oh my god,
I
have
made
a most
terrible
mistake.
i forgot to mention king george the third guys.
Okay long story short, King George the Third was the dude who decided that he could do whatever the heck he wanted and be a tyrant and control the American colonies like a toddler playing with a spindle toy with a string. He is adamant and refuses to accept the fact that America doesn’t need him or want him. My history teacher even described the Declaration of Independence to be like a “breakup letter” from America to King George. Remember that rap song I even put on my last post towards the end? My assignment was based of an argument between someone who supported King George and a person fighting against him.
So basically what I’m tryin’ to say is King George basically went insane when America declared itself a new nation of independence.
Okay moving along
Aaron Burr serenades us with a song, accompanied by Alex, about his daughter and his son. Both singing of just how much they cared for these lights in there lives. Theodosia Burr was Aaron Burr’s daughter, and Philip Hamilton was Hamilton’s son. Hamilton’s son is a very important character towards the end so stay tuned. Er, I mean keep reading, I mean this isn’t a podcast or anything. It would be cool if it was though!
Hamilton sets of to study and practice law with Burr doing the similar. And Hamilton, coming to no surprise, quickly rises to the top. Now this is the song that truly shows that Hamilton is an exuberant little cinnamon roll of death you should never ever mess with. I mean god this guy went from a living war machine to a living war machine with an ink bottle a quill, and a lifetime supply of paper. I mean this guy is super human when it comes to brains and diligence. Step aside Einstein cause Hamilton’s in the house.
But Hamilton’s- uhh- excitement, seems to be a tad bit too exuberant for the mellow lawyers and other people who must associate with him almost everyday. an example of these frequent outburst of ideas and excitement regarding his contributions for the country are above what anyone thinks a normal human being could do. Aaron Burr tries to help his friend out and calm him down to make the man a little less rash, a fruitless attempt.
Alexander tries to recruit Burr to clean up the government by writing a series of anonymous essays and articles. But Burr refuses with every attempt Hamilton places in front of him. So Hamilton takes in James Madison and John Jay. The three men working endlessly to write only 25.
They ended up with 85 essays in six months.
John Jay wrote five before becoming quite ill.
James Madison wrote twenty-nine.
Hamilton wrote,
the other fifty-one.
Fifty-one essays, in six months. I honestly didn’t now how to react when this information bled through my earbuds and into my ears. I mean this dude, was underestimated almost all his life and then did this. I don’t think he wrote this just for it’s exact purpose.
He wrote fifty-one because he wanted to prove himself even more,
He wrote fifty-one essays because he wanted to prove that he was more than enough for people to be convinced that he was capable.
He wrote fifty-one because history had its eyes directed on him like a spotlight that will never fade away.
Nothing, I swear, nothing, will convince me that Alexander Hamilton is anything but a brilliant man who had an ambition. His worst fear was being forgotten, for not leaving something on this Earth that will stand forever and onward. A fire was burning in every vein and artery. Flowing like ambrosia from his heart and searing anything it touches like the river Plegethon.
Someone else wouldn’t agree.
Thomas Jefferson was in France for, a while.
If you call 1,825 days a short while.
Yeah I counted.
He was in the midst of the rise of American politics. Shining opportunity for anyone(well except women, and slaves, and you know what I think you get the point)Him and mister James Madison were already heading for New York for George Washington called for them. And you bet little Hammy Ham is gonna be there. And the instant they did it was as if tiny battalions were going off in both there brains.
of hatred.
Its a whirl of different perspectives. Eliza is anxious for her dear husband to just spend some more time with her and there family, Aaron Burr wants more opportunity, and Washington, well, he has to make sure Jefferson and Hamilton don’t slit each others throats with butter knives and various other cutlery. As all of this unfolds and Hamilton basically roasts Jefferson on a daily basis, Angelica and Eliza try convincing him to take a break, get away from the work and spend time with the children and them. Hamilton declines innocently obviously.
That’s probably the worst decision he could ever have made.
Maria Reynolds, wife of James Reynolds, comes sauntering in and basically attempts to bewitch Hamilton to do something he’ll regret later. Course that worked out pretty well for her but not for him. This ended up with Madison, Jefferson, and Burr finding out through James Reynold’s bank account somehow. Hamilton ends up thinking with a brilliant idea. So instead of having others release info he didn’t want out in the world, he decided to just do it himself. Thus ending up with him releasing, The Reynolds Pamphlet. Need I say more?
Eliza is absolutely heartbroken and extremely mad, leaving Angelica absolutely furious. Philip is appalled by this information and struck heavily. Philip is about 19 by the way and he is just as smart as his father, leaving every professor and teacher with nothing to teach him because if you have the blood of Alexander Hamilton, circulating in your body I think you’ll be fine on your own. George Eacker seemed to have been saying some bad stuff about Philip’s father. This basically led to Philip getting really mad and than challenging Eacker to a duel. Philip goes to his father for advice about his duel and though he isn’t confident, he takes pride in his father’s words to him and is content. But then, George Eacker only had counted to seven, before shooting Philip.
He died in the arms of his mother and father.
I sobbed in this portion of the musical because it showed so much emotion, even if it only was an audio through my ears.
I sobbed for Philip because he was only nineteen but he already lost his life,
I sobbed for Eliza because she lost her own flesh and blood.
I sobbed for Alexander because he lost a fraction of his heart.
I just I know how they must’ve felt. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.
That is all I can muster myself to type on this topic.
Alexander tries to get Eliza to speak to him once again. She had gone through so much, losing her son and having her own husband in an affair. I can’t imagine what she was going through. I personally think she had the right to want to stay silent, I mean after all that? Deftly! Finally Eliza breaks, she and Alex mend their love, because a love like that can never be fractured forever.
Meanwhile Jefferson and Aaron Burr are butting heads in the Election of 1800 both desperate for the presidency. But it’s up to Alex to finalize who wins because its a tie. He was starting to think that Aaron Burr had now beliefs, merely because he never chose a side to stand. Alex even said to him face to face
“If you stand for nothing Burr what will you fall for?”
in the third song of Act 1 of the musical. Hamilton votes for Jefferson, which infuriates Burr.
Burr wanted to be where everyone else worked and strove for a large cause. An infant nation. He wanted to lead. With each opportunity that sported just that, Hamilton took it away. This anger bubbling inside him to no end, until he had enough. He invites Hamilton to duel.
Hamilton points his pistol upward expecting Burr to cease fire. Burr shoots forward expecting Hamilton to have the buoyancy to shoot. They were both wrong. Hamilton was wounded and there was no going back. He died on July 12th, 1804. The age of 47 or 49. He passed with Eliza and Angelica beside him.
Lin Manuel Miranda is one of my idols and I look up to him so much. He is someone I wish I could meet someday, converse with him. I want to peer through that brilliant mind of his. How did he come up with such brilliance? We all have the same amount of hours in each day, the same amount of day in a week, the same number of weeks in a month, the same chronological order in a year. How does one do such things like this? He is a person that truly inspires me and I will never stop admiring every step of success he takes. He spreads love and beauty with each step and I can only strive to be in that place.
So in the brilliant words of his emanated through John Laurens;
Rise up
When you’re living on your knees, you rise up
Tell your brother that he’s gotta rise up
Tell your sister that she’s gotta rise up
We will all rise up everyone. But than again,
I’m afraid we already have.