Hamilton

Directions: In 2009, a young Lin-Manuel Miranda was invited to the White House to perform some music from his hit musical, In the Heights. Instead, he performed a song from a new project he was working on, a musical about the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton. When Miranda introduced the idea to the crowd, there was an audible laugh. Little did the crowd know that they were about to hear the beginning of what would become one of the most successful musicals in Broadway history.

Complete the short readings and watch the videos below. Then answer the questions that accompany each section.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda read a biography of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's "Founding Fathers" and realized that Hamilton's life had some similarities to his own. Miranda's family, like Hamilton, immigrated to New York City from the Caribbean in search of a brighter future. Miranda, like Hamilton, used his writing and public-speaking skills to find success. And Miranda, like Hamilton, rose from modest beginnings to become one of the biggest influencers of his generation. In the end, Miranda took the story of our nation's beginning--a story consisting mostly of old, white men--and reinterpreted it as a story starring a diverse cast of men and women and featuring rap battles and songs that would go on to be covered by artists like Usher, Sia, Kelly Clarkson, Wiz Khalifa, Chance the Rapper, and John Legend.

Alexander Hamilton: The opening number, appropriately titled Alexander Hamilton, introduces the audience to the "ten dollar, founding father". Headlined by Hamilton's frenemy, Aaron Burr is accompanied by the other main characters in the play, who lay out Hamilton's life leading to his arrival in New York City, while setting the tone for this hip-hop historical hit.

1. What did you learn about Hamilton's background (where he grew up? parents? how did he get to America?, etc.) from this opening song?
2. What were some of the challenges Hamilton faced as a young man?
3. At the end of the song, Hamilton arrives in what city?

Lyrics

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Since its debut, one key ingredient of Hamilton has been its diverse approach to casting.
"It's the story about America then, told by America now," director Tommy Kail has said.

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Farmer Refuted: The first part of the show features Hamilton as a young man, speaking out against England -- and the King -- every chance he can. However, not all of the colonists were as passionately in favor of revolution as Hamilton and his friends. In the song Farmer Refuted, Hamilton gets into a verbal sparring match with an outspoken colonist named Samuel Seabury.

4. Would you consider Seabury to be a patriot or a loyalist, and why?
5. Is Seabury for or against the revolution, and what are some of his arguments?
6. Is Hamilton for or against the revolution and what are some of his arguments?

You'll Be Back: While King George was not the most popular guy in the colonies, his sassy comic relief makes him a fan favorite in the play. Periodically making an appearance throughout the play, King George speaks his mind about the events taking place in the colonies/states. Here, in his first appearance, he sings a fun, but somewhat dark song about the colonial effort to declare independence, and how he plans to address it.

7. What does the title of the song, "You'll Be Back" suggest about how the King feels about this conflict?
8. What does King George plan to do to "remind" the colonists of his "love"?

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Right Hand Man: As we learned at the beginning of this unit, Washington and the Continental Army had a tough start to this war. The Patriots had managed to hold their own at Bunker Hill, but the Battle for New York was another story. Washington had to give up Brooklyn and New York City to save his army and regroup. In Hamilton, this part of the war is played out in Right Hand Man. Here, the audience is introduced to General Washington, who raps his concerns on the current state of the war, and his need for help exclaiming "Ayo, I'm gonna need a right hand man". In steps Alexander Hamilton, who proves that perhaps he is the right hand man Washington is looking for.

9. What new strategies does Hamilton bring to the war plan?

Guns and Ships: The Americans had their ups and downs, but after some early struggles and some recent surprising victories, they suddenly found themselves in a position to win the war. Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, or just Lafayette for short, was a French friend of Hamilton, who fought along side patriots in the war. He believed in the U.S. Revolution and helped convince France to join in the war effort. In Guns and Ships, Lafayette is back from France with French fire power, and advises Washington to get his right hand man back for the upcoming final battle.

10. What did Lafayette bring back with him?
11. What does Lafayette suggest Washington needs in order help to win the war?

The Battle of Yorktown: 1781... It's finally time for the Americans to send the British packing. With Washington's leadership, the American new-age fighting tactics and spy network, and the French navy, the Americans do the unthinkable and defeat Britain. Past, present, and future, they are the only nation able to secure independence from Britain through war. They've turned the world upside down.

12. How did Hercules Mulligan contribute to the war effort?
13. At the end of the song, why does Lafayette say "Freedom for America, Freedom for France"?

Lyrics

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According to legend, the tune "The World Turned Upside Down" played as the British marched out of Yorktown, following their surrender.
Hamilton incorporated this into the ending lyrics of the Battle of Yorktown.

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