What Is Hamilton Really About

All day today, I have had one song stuck in my head. It is a beautiful song sung by a wonderful woman named Phillipa Soo. It has so much depth and meaning, and while it is about a founding father’s scandal, it still feels relatable and applicable to today. The song is called “Burn” and it is from the Broadway musical Hamilton. If you have already heard of Hamilton, you’ll know that it is a hip-hop interpretation of Alexander Hamilton with a diverse and talented cast. One thing missing in this explanation, however, is the amount of depth in the show. The recurring phrases, the climax, the resolution, the entire meaning of the production. Sure, Lin Manuel Miranda thought Hamilton had an entertaining life, but there’s more. Songs like History Has Its Eyes on You, Dear Theodosia, and Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story say what I think the message is the clearest. Hamilton mentions this in his final moments as well. Legacy, what we leave behind and how it is perceived. This is probably one of the hardest things anyone has to deal with, not knowing what happens next. Not knowing if what you did will leave lasting impressions. Not knowing if anyone will remember you in a hundred years time. Hamilton claimed to always be anticipating death, but when it came he was still scared. Had he done enough? Will America keep fighting, never resting, like the French revolution? And when Hamilton died, that worry moved on to Eliza, to keep Alexander Hamilton’s legacy alive. In just one song, she did so much. She created something so positive. She funded an orphanage for kids like Hamilton, alone in the world. She got to watch these children who reminded her of her husband and son grow up. She outlived the majority of the people in the musical, and she created a legacy that was stronger and longer lasting than before Hamilton died.

              This got long winded, but to summarize, I think Hamilton is popular because it shows everyone's fears about death using relatable characters and music. It speaks to everyone who watches it, and puts into words what I, at least, worry about. “And when my time is up/ have I done enough/ will they tell my story?” The idea of disappearing when you die is a startling one. And this is a musical centered on it.