by Grace Griggs
In Hamilton Aaron Burr is written as a foil to Hamilton. In literary terms, a foil is a character whose differences with another character are used to highlight that character’s qualities. In this case, Burr’s similarities and differences with Hamilton are used to highlight Hamilton’s strong ambition and drive and how those affect his path in life.
Hamilton and Burr’s defining life experiences are almost identical. Both were orphaned at a young age, both graduate early from the same college, both fight under Washington and both pursue law after the war and become politicians. Despite these similarities, the two men’s attitudes and goals in life are at odds. This is immediately presented in the pair’s individual ‘mission statement’ songs, “My Shot” for Hamilton and “Wait For It” for Burr. Hamilton’s ultimate goal is to rise above his humble beginnings and build a legacy for himself. His strategy for this is to jump on any and every opportunity available to him and claw his way up from the bottom. In contrast, Burr’s plan is to keep all of his options open and wait until the perfect opportunity for him to strike. These different approaches define their actions throughout Act 1.
While Washington ignores Burr, he actively recruits Hamilton as his secretary based on Hamilton’s impulsive decision to steal cannons from the British army (“Right Hand Man”). The only time Hamilton’s impulsiveness hurts him is when he is sent home after he goes against Washington’s orders (“Meet Me Inside”). Apart from that, he is given is own command during the war (“Guns and Ships”), is chosen to represent New York at the Constitutional Convention and is chosen to be the Secretary of the Treasury (“Non-Stop”). At this point it is apparent that Hamilton’s relentless drive and impulsiveness have paid off for him, whereas Burr’s hesitation and unwillingness to pick a side have held him back.
It is clear that Hamilton’s approach has lead to his success both in his work and in war, but it has come at the cost of his personal life. While Burr is awed at Hamilton’s relentless work ethic, his wife Eliza begs to be involved in his life, asking for “a fraction of [his] time” (“Non-Stop”). Burr on the other hand, gives top priority to his loved ones. In “Wait For It” Burr says that Theodosia’s husband, a British officer fighting in Georgia, “can keep all of Georgia, Theodosia she’s mine”. To Burr, even the new nation he is fighting for is less important than having the woman he loves in his life.
Hamilton’s success at the expense of his personal life is countered by Burr’s relative lack of success and his happy family life. Both of these are directly due to the two’s differing goals and approaches to life. Burr and Hamilton are two side of the same coin, opposite results with the same starting conditions. Burr is still waiting for his moment and it is likely that his success will lead to Hamilton’s downfall.
