By: Carol Rojas Ramirez
There are many different themes that make up Hamilton’s first act. I think that one of the many literary methods that Lin-Manuel Miranda utilizes to get these themes across is repetition. We see this occur not just in individual songs but across multiple songs in the first act (and of course, in the second act). This form of repetition that expands across the entire musical links the different stories together in a way that provides the listener/viewer with a broad understanding of not just the period’s history but also a character study on Alexander Hamilton.
I know… I’ve read a lot of other blog posts and everyone is talking about repetition, but it’s something to be studied because it’s such an integral part of this musical. A lot of the repetition, as I mentioned, has to do with Hamilton’s characterization. In a broader sense, we understand that this story is about an ambitious man who was his own worst enemy. Throughout different songs, we get an idea as to why this is true. We start out with the first song where we get the repetition of his name, but then we move on to songs like Aaron Burr Sir, and Satisfied where we get phrases like “Just You Wait”, which help the viewer/listener understand Hamilton’s visions of grandeur and his eagerness to be the best. He says this repeatedly, which shows us that he knows he’s smart and talented and that he could be the best, but it also shows us that he doesn’t know when to shut up about it. From the first couple of songs, we get the gist… Hamilton wants it all and he wants it now. And he’s going to tell everyone until they hear him. The fact that he is so arrogant with his opinions is what is going to lead to Hamilton’s downfall (we see this with the repetition of the line, “Talk less, smile more”). Here is a good place to state that “Just you wait” is a phrase that sets the tone for the foiling that will happen between Burr and Hamilton. While Hamilton uses that line, we hear Burr say, “Wait for it”, something that provides further characterization for both Hamilton and Burr.
All these lines, which are repeated throughout, help us understand Hamilton’s ambition and his overwhelming desire to become his own man. After immigrating to New York, Hamilton views the war as a personal problem. He is eager to fight for something that he wishes will be his. He wants a home, a family, and friends (he’s basically a millennial). All these elements provide insight into the quintessential story of an immigrant. The phrase, “New York” is mentioned multiple times in many songs including, My Shot, Alexander Hamilton, and Helpless. In many ways, it is providing a setting for the characters that is familiar to the viewer. It is easy to picture sailing ships coming towards the Statue of Liberty as well as to hum the familiar, Empire State of Mind song by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.
As we will soon find out, however, Hamilton’s eagerness, the fact that he works himself to death (as mentioned throughout the song, Best of Wives and Best of Women), and that he never shuts up is what will be his downfall. His own ambition is his downfall. It is interesting because one of the many phrases we hear throughout the musical is “Rise Up” which is inspiring to hear, not just for the poor immigrants like Hamilton but also the colonies. However, this also provides foreshadowing of the rise and fall of a great man.
The thing is, a lot of the songs’ themes are not entirely about Hamilton nor the Revolutionary War but also touch on deeper issues such as gun violence, feminism, the Black Lives Matter movement, among others.