In the short year that "Hamilton" has been on Broadway, it has ignited a wildfire within old and new fans of musical theater. Just 11 months after its debut, the musical brought in a record of 16 Tony nominations. With this information, it is safe to say that creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has conceived one of the most influential pieces of art in this decade, and from this piece of historical fiction, I have learned quite a few lessons that I will not soon forget.
1. You Don’t Always Have To “Wait For It”
Throughout the musical, Hamilton’s aggressive behavior and gung-ho personality make him the ideal face of American character. He embodies the nation’s “young, scrappy, and hungry” charm. This same determination present within America’s first Secretary of Treasury is what has left a lasting impression among the American people and what has earned him the mark of one of the greatest men in history to have ever walked the earth.
2. Those Who Succeed Work “Non-Stop”
Hamilton is constantly “[writing] like [he’s] running out of time” and within the first song, the audience can see his drive and understands his reason for success. His life, and the events that unfolded before this particular story began, show a boy tossed into a perilous world. Instead of collapsing under the pressure, he makes the most of his situation and creates the life he never truly had but always wanted.
3. Your Past Does Not Predict Your Future
This also pertains to the first song, mostly. The beginning of the song lists all of Hamilton’s initial struggles that he has to overcome solely based on forces he cannot control. The next few verses explain the amazing feats he accomplished through “working a lot harder, by being a lot smarter.” He didn’t allow his circumstances or what other people thought of him to limit what he could do and how he could change the world.
4. Always Take Your Shot
Whenever there is an opportunity for you to follow your dreams or make a difference, take it. Don’t worry about what people will say. Follow in the steps of Alexander Hamilton and stick to the future you strive for. Like Hamilton, seek out loved ones, or people who inspired you and create a network of people who will support you and who you can trust.
5. You Have No Control Over “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story”
This is the line within the musical that always strikes a chord with me and never fails to leave goosebumps running up and down my arms. It’s just so true and honest and sincere. You cannot control how people will see you or how others will paint you, you can only control what you do and how you act. Don’t concern yourself with the opinions of others, do what you know to be right and do what makes you happy. That’s your purpose.
6. “We Need Bold Strokes”
Hamilton is an out-of-the-box man with an out-of-this-world character. He realizes that for his dreams and goals to be realized he cannot simply wait and watch, but he must act, and act outside of any premise anyone has ever thought of. He realizes that the standard is not going to cut it, and he is not afraid of what people will think of him as long as he is able to help his country.
7. History And Literature: The True Love Story
In the Act II song "Take A Break," Hamilton compares his situation to the Shakespeare play Macbeth. He tells his “dearest” sister-in-law, Angelica, that his peers see him as Macbeth. He goes into detail, naming characters and their historical parallels. This momentary digression from solely historic passion is what caught my attention and drew me to past circumstances within history or literature where the other is mentioned or even utilized as a muse.
8. Distance Holds No Meaning
This is the story of an immigrant's move from orphaned French child to great American hero and with that comes the concept of loss and distance. Alexander is constantly writing letters to his sister-in-law in France, and their connection is still so strong. While Alexander is fighting for freedom, he is away from his expecting Eliza, but his love for her never dwindles. In my mind, I suppose it just strengthens my belief that distance is not a factor if the relationship is strong and the emotions are real.
9. Grit And Intelligence Outrank Wealth
Hamilton is the optimal symbol of the American Dream. He “started from the bottom now he’s here,” which is not a quote from the show, but still applies to the conditions. He worked harder and smarter from a young age to pay off his mother’s debts and get an education. Unlike many of his associates, Hamilton earns his money and status and is not simply handed the deed to a plantation and a spot among Virginia’s most elite; to be fair though, Jefferson got this all from his supposedly-descended-from-royalty mother.
10. The True Power Is Held Within The People
