Previous
Act 2: Hurricane
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Hamilton, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Collaboration, Disagreement, and Democracy
Stories vs. History
Ambition and Mortality
Immigration and Diversity of Influence
Honor
Summary
Analysis
The thing Hamilton publishes is “The Reynolds Pamphlet.” Hamilton reads text from the real pamphlet aloud, explaining his affair with Maria and the blackmail scheme that followed it. While the public freaks out at Hamilton’s revelations, Jefferson and his friends cackle that “he’s never gon’ be president now.”
The more contemporary music here underscores the modern feel of the nation’s first-ever sex scandal. Between this and the blow-up with John Adams, Hamilton’s reputation is completely tarnished.
Themes
In the middle of the song, Angelica arrives from overseas. Hamilton is grateful to see her, but she makes it clear that she has come for Eliza, not him (“put what we had aside / I’m standing at her side”). King George also arrives to laugh at Hamilton. The song ends when Jefferson and Burr revel in Hamilton’s self-destruction: “you ever see somebody ruin their own life? / his poor wife.”
Three important things are happening here. First, the world has completely turned against Hamilton, as evidenced by George’s appearance and by the hectic light and sound design in the Broadway production. Second, Angelica’s love for her sister once again takes precedence over her feelings for Hamilton. And third, the final line of the song makes clear just how much Hamilton—in trying to take control of history—has damaged his wife’s place in it. If the question is “who tells your story,” Hamilton has decided to tell Eliza’s for her.
Themes
