Alexander Hamilton (Junior Cert English): Revision Notes

Alexander Hamilton

Characteristics:

• Alexander Hamilton is portrayed as ambitious, intelligent, and driven. He is relentlessly determined to rise above his humble beginnings and significantly impact the world.

• For example, "I am not throwing away my shot!" shows Hamilton's fierce ambition and his resolve to seize every opportunity.

  

• The quote, "There's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait", highlights Hamilton's eagerness to achieve greatness and his belief in his potential to shape history.

Development:

• Throughout the musical, Hamilton's character develops from a young, ambitious immigrant to a powerful political figure who is both admired and controversial. His rise is marked by his hard work, strategic brilliance, and personal flaws, such as his impulsiveness and pride.
• The repetition in "How do you write like tomorrow won't arrive? How do you write like you need it to survive? How do you write ev'ry second you're alive?" reflects his reliance on his writing skills, but also hints at how his words ultimately lead to his scandal and diminished reputation. We can also see this: "I wrote my way out of hell. I wrote my way to revolution."

• Despite his many achievements, Hamilton's inability to control his ambition and his personal life leads to his tragic end in the duel with Aaron Burr.

Role in the Story:

• Hamilton is the central figure in the musical, driving the plot through his actions, decisions, and relationships. His ambition fuels his rise to power but also leads to his conflicts with other key characters like Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson.

• His rivalry with Burr is a major plot line, culminating in the duel that leads to his death. When Burr says, "The world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me," it underscores the tragic inevitability of their conflict.
• Hamilton's story represents the American Dream's complexity, illustrating its possibilities and perils. His life is a testament to the idea that one's legacy is shaped by what one achieves and how one is remembered.