By: Arfa Ul-Haque
Our first introduction to Aaron Burr is in the opening song where he is introduced as the narrator of the musical alongside Alexander Hamilton. He opens with the question of how a man with such a destitute origin became one of the most influential men in America’s history. The audience later learns that Burr came from similar origins as well. Both men grew up watching everyone they love around them die, but both men dealt with loss differently. While Hamilton was motivated to work harder and relentlessly to pull himself out of poverty, Burr learns to take things slow and appreciate what is around him. Through these experiences, Burr realizes he must wait for his happiness and success, while Hamilton works non-stop trying to become as successful as he can be.
“Non-Stop” is one of the main songs that depicts the discrepancies between Burr and Hamilton. Burr contradicts every point Hamilton makes in the song by saying that the Constitution is doomed to fail and is unfixable. He doesn’t want to associate himself with the US Constitution. He makes it clear that even if he agrees with a political standpoint, he refuses to publicly support it for fear of disapproval of the public.
Throughout the musical, Burr reiterates his mantra to “wait for it” and maintains his belief that keeping his opinions to himself would boost the public’s approval of him. In the last minute, he makes the decision to reject his motto and decides to follow Hamilton’s footsteps and take his shot. Both men made the mistake of mistakenly assuming what the other man would do. Hamilton, knowing that Burr never took opportunities that came his way, believes that Burr wouldn’t shoot. Burr, knowing that Hamilton was action-oriented and never threw away his shot, believed that Hamilton would shoot. When Burr realized that Hamilton threw away his shot, thereby disavowing his main belief, Burr shouts “Wait!” in an effort to take back his shot. In the end, Hamilton’s final decision that he stands by is throwing away his shot to kill Burr; Burr’s final decision to shoot Hamilton is one that he regrets for the rest of his life. Due to one fatal and uncharacteristic mistake, Burr is forever remembered as the “damn fool” who shot Hamilton.
Burr spent his whole life trying to escape Hamilton’s shadow and create his own legacy, but in the end, he is one left narrating Hamilton’s story. Those who remain neutral and refuse to disclose their opinions on any matter will not be remembered in history. His only legacy is the shot that killed his “first friend, his enemy” Alexander Hamilton.
Through the characterization of these rivals, Lin-Manuel Miranda teaches us that both men’s methods of how to go through life led to their downfall. There needs to be a balance between taking all opportunities that come your way and taking a break or waiting for the outcomes of success.