Hamilton: The Revolution

The opening line of the musical, rapped by Aaron Burr, is a musical motif that repeats in variations throughout the score, each time introducing his narration of Hamilton’s next steppingstone into self-advancement, both personally and professionally. The lyrics evolve over the course of the musical, but they’re almost always insulting. Burr, who comes from a wealthy, respected family, keeps watching enviously as Hamilton succeeds where he doesn’t. Burr asks Washington to consider him for the position of aide-de-camp, only to discover that he has already called for Hamilton to offer him the job. Hamilton goes on to become Washington’s surrogate son, and he still doesn’t seem to appreciate it, expressing jealousy over Burr’s command on the battlefield. Burr flirts unsuccessfully, however flippantly, with Angelica during “The Schuyler Sisters,” and later sees Hamilton win the affection of not only Eliza but Angelica as well. Burr’s frustration grows as Hamilton’s law career takes off and surpasses his, and when he sees Hamilton going into a private dinner to make high-stakes backroom deals that affect the creation of the country, while Burr is perpetually left out. Burr compares himself to Hamilton because having a respectable family has always signaled privilege.