Aaron Burr is the narrator of the play, singing directly to the audience at times. His character is openly introduced in the first song of the show when he says “And me? I’m the damn fool that shot him” (Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical). Burr’s character is charged with making the transitions and providing context for the audience. He sets up the scenes and informs the audience where we are in history, which is essential because the play spans a rather long period of time.
The production begins in 1773 with Hamilton’s arrival in New York and ends in 1804 with his death (Editors). The events are presented in chronological order, but it is also made clear that the production is meant to be a glimpse into the past. Through Burr’s narration, …show more content…
He and Hamilton were equals on pretty much every front, yet Hamilton constantly beats him and hinders his political career. Over time, Burr becomes increasingly bitter and resentful of Hamilton’s success. Burr starts out singing “I’ll keep all my plans close to my chest. I’ll wait here and see which way the wind will blow” and criticizing that “Hamilton doesn’t hesitate. He exhibits no restraint. He takes and he takes and he takes. And he keeps winning anyway. He changes the game. He plays and he raises the stakes” but he soon ends up lamenting that he wants “to be in the room where it happens” (Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical). Burr eventually gets to the point where he challenges Hamilton to answer for everything he’s done, saying “Dear Alexander: I am slow to anger, but I toe the line as I reckon with the effects of your life on mine. I look back on where I’ve failed, and in every place I checked, the only common thread has been your disrespect. Now you call me “amoral,” a “dangerous disgrace,” If you have something to say, name a time and place, face to face.” (Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical). Hamilton, being the opinionated person he was, refuses to apologize, leading to the now-infamous …show more content…
Having always been in competition with Hamilton, whether it be during the war or later on as lawyers, Burr begins to notice that Hamilton has everything that he wants because he was willing to go for it. This realization changes Burr’s perspective and prompts him to run for senate, where he wins and takes over the seat of Hamilton’s father-in-law (“Schuyler Defeated”). Hamilton is infuriated by this and by Burr’s inability to be forthcoming about his opinions on the issues, leading him to endorse Thomas Jefferson over him when he decides to run for president in “The Election of 1800.” Hamilton says “I have never agreed with Jefferson once. We have fought on like seventy-five different fronts. But when all is said and all is done. Jefferson has beliefs, Burr has none” (Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical). This was the final straw for Burr, leading him to challenge Hamilton to the
The production begins in 1773 with Hamilton’s arrival in New York and ends in 1804 with his death (Editors). The events are presented in chronological order, but it is also made clear that the production is meant to be a glimpse into the past. Through Burr’s narration, …show more content…
He and Hamilton were equals on pretty much every front, yet Hamilton constantly beats him and hinders his political career. Over time, Burr becomes increasingly bitter and resentful of Hamilton’s success. Burr starts out singing “I’ll keep all my plans close to my chest. I’ll wait here and see which way the wind will blow” and criticizing that “Hamilton doesn’t hesitate. He exhibits no restraint. He takes and he takes and he takes. And he keeps winning anyway. He changes the game. He plays and he raises the stakes” but he soon ends up lamenting that he wants “to be in the room where it happens” (Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical). Burr eventually gets to the point where he challenges Hamilton to answer for everything he’s done, saying “Dear Alexander: I am slow to anger, but I toe the line as I reckon with the effects of your life on mine. I look back on where I’ve failed, and in every place I checked, the only common thread has been your disrespect. Now you call me “amoral,” a “dangerous disgrace,” If you have something to say, name a time and place, face to face.” (Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical). Hamilton, being the opinionated person he was, refuses to apologize, leading to the now-infamous …show more content…
Having always been in competition with Hamilton, whether it be during the war or later on as lawyers, Burr begins to notice that Hamilton has everything that he wants because he was willing to go for it. This realization changes Burr’s perspective and prompts him to run for senate, where he wins and takes over the seat of Hamilton’s father-in-law (“Schuyler Defeated”). Hamilton is infuriated by this and by Burr’s inability to be forthcoming about his opinions on the issues, leading him to endorse Thomas Jefferson over him when he decides to run for president in “The Election of 1800.” Hamilton says “I have never agreed with Jefferson once. We have fought on like seventy-five different fronts. But when all is said and all is done. Jefferson has beliefs, Burr has none” (Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical). This was the final straw for Burr, leading him to challenge Hamilton to the