Aaron Burr Character Analysis

Killing your BFF should not make you a villain

Lights. Curtains. Action! The new hit musical on Broadway is what critics are raving about. Hamilton written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter is a more modern musical that embodies the style of rap and hip hop! The play is famous for its incredibly genius lyrics that is unlike traditional Broadway music and aims at teaching young people history in a unique way. It uncovers the story of one of our founding fathers who was an immigrant and helped found this country. This is none other than the first secretary of the treasury: Alexander Hamilton. Many characters surrounding Hamilton support his role along with Aaron Burr who is a rather controversial character that is seen in the play. He compliments Hamilton well and easily identifies with the audience as a main supporting character that is always seen alongside Hamilton. Contrary to popular belief, Aaron Burr is not a villain in this story, but is more of a friend to his companion on stage and supports Hamilton’s role throughout the entire play (despite killing him in the end).

The second song in the play (and one of the more notable ones) was when Hamilton is first introduced to Aaron Burr. This part is crucial, because Hamilton’s first

meeting with Burr will impact the rest of the play so Hamilton must get a good first impression of Aaron Burr. In the song “Aaron Burr, Sir” Burr offers to buy Hamilton a drink while telling him: “While we’re talking, let me offer you some free advice” (Miranda 23). He talks to Hamilton about how to get along better with people and not to worry a lot. Alexander takes this advice seriously and actually tries to use it in the future. This is a thing that friends would do for each other, not enemies. In this case, Burr is more of a role model to Hamilton since he is older and has a little bit more experience. Hamilton looks up to Burr, because of Burr’s experience and he is guiding Hamilton by telling him how to be successful. If Burr was the antagonist, then he would have not given him any advice. This first meeting between the 2 main characters show the start off a healthy new friendship.
Burr and Hamilton share many of the same qualities which makes their friendship even stronger. For example: both are very determined people and want to create a better country. In the song titled: “Wait For It”, Burr says: “When they died they left no instructions. Just a legacy to protect” (Miranda 91). That is what both strive to do. Both Burr and Hamilton had a tough life and had to work even harder to get to where they are (and they are still working hard), so sharing the same traits shows how similar they are. How can Burr be identified as a villain if him and Hamilton share the same goal for their country? They both have the same objective, so by working for the same cause both of them have a better chance of accomplishing what they have in mind for their country. Later on in the same song, Aaron Burr says: “He exhibits no restraint … And he keeps winning anyway. He changes the game. He plays and he raises the stakes… He seems to thrive when so few survive…” (Miranda 92). Burr sees Hamilton as a younger version of himself. That younger version of Burr would have most likely been very ambitious, determined, and had nothing to lose. All those qualities listed describe Hamilton impeccably. Not only does Hamilton’s characteristics resemble Burr, but they also have the same background and similar aspiration. This could not conceivably make Burr a villain if he shares the same beliefs and values as the protagonist and true companion.
Another convincing connection between Burr and Hamilton is the fact that they both have a kid so they understand what it is like being away from their family for so long. Both Hamilton and Burr say in unison: “I’ll make the world safe and sound for you… Will come of age with our young nation. We’ll bleed and fight for you, we’ll make it right for you. If we lay a strong enough foundation…” (Miranda 130). They use their kids as motivation to make a better nation and clean up the “mess” they are in right now so their children can live happy and prosperous lives. They want to give their kids something they were never born with which was opportunity. When the play reveals the fact that Aaron Burr has a child, it humanizes Burr in order for people to see him as a good guy instead of a character who is trying to oppose Hamilton.
Other viewers may argue that despite Aaron Burr supporting Hamilton’s role, he did end up killing him in the end.

That is a valid point that viewers have to keep in mind, however could this event have been foreshadowed? Going back to the second song in the play (“Aaron Burr, Sir”) an interesting quote that may have slipped past a lot of viewers was: “Fools who run their mouths off wind up dead” (Miranda 23). This is subtle but noticeable foreshadowing, since it hints at how Hamilton will die. This is one of the only good pieces of evidence that viewers use to argue that Burr is represented as a villain just because he murdered the protagonist. Nevertheless, this should not be the only reason Burr is considered a

villain.
Although Burr shoots Hamilton in a duel, he immediately regrets it proving that he did not mean to kill his good friend. In the song “The World Was Wide Enough” Burr sings in grief after fatally shooting Hamilton: “Now I’m the villain in your history. I was too young and blind to see. I should’ve known… The world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me” (Miranda 275). Basically, Burr is saying how he should not have shot Hamilton and it was a big mistake, because it could have been avoided. Neither of them had to die, because of their different political views. He also says even though he survived, he is still paying for it by feeling guilty. If Burr was delighted about shooting Hamilton, then it would have shown him as a villain, but instead he regrets doing such a brazen act and truly wishes he never did it.