Aaron Burr Hamilton Sparknotes

The Broadway musical, Hamilton, is a tale of Lin Manuel Miranda’s vision of the past America. The protagonist, Alexander Hamilton, undergoes a numerous number of encounters on his and his nation’s path to prosperity. Another significant character, Aaron Burr, Hamilton’s mentor, is a prestige revolutionary who experienced many vicissitudes that impacted himself, his family, and his country. Throughout history, the American government has been looked up to in an illustrious sense. It has the need to form crucial decisions and act at a deep, spontaneous level. There is a significant amount of pressure on the leaders of any country to defend, preserve, and protect the country's rights, freedoms, and the Constitution. Some would say that it is

comparable to the infamous Indian culture, in which others just like me have been raised to high standards and similar values which has been found to be pressuring at times. Ultimately, the circumstances that Burr dealt with are very close to my own and I identify stronger with him than any other character from the play due to high standards for subjects such as math, robotics, golf, etc. From the renowned times of Hamilton’s arrival into America’s government to the unfortunate, thoughtless killing of him, Burr underwent several different changes in the government, in leadership, and in his status.
Early in the musical, Aaron Burr is portrayed as a prestiged man with many who look up to him.

To a vast majority of the people involved in the government at the time, Burr was an idol, a guru to look up to. At one point, early on in his career, an immigrant orphan named Hamilton came to his feet to ask for assistance as he was struggling with carrying out his goals. Hamilton always idolized Burr just as many others who had been taken under his wing. Hamilton found his attributes as a revolutionary, scholar, fellow orphan, and a success to be the driving force which encouraged him to approach Burr for help. He came to Burr in desperation and said that he “wanted to do what you did. Graduate in two, then join the revolution . . . I’m not stupid. So how’d you do it? How’d you graduate so fast? . . . You’re an orphan?! Of course! I’m an orphan. God, I wish there was a war! Then we could prove that we’re worth more . .” (Miranda 23). Hamilton came ‘begging like a dog’ for all the wisdom and knowledge of Burr. The fact that Burr was such an important person in the revolution and had people looking up to his abilities, achievements, etc. leads me to feel closely related to him. In my life, I never grew up with any of Hamilton’s struggles. Although I come from an immigrant family, I am very privileged and I tried to make the best use of that. I studied using the proper resources as much as I could and I always excelled in my activities as a kid. Although things may be different

now, I can identify with Burr because I have other cousins, friends, siblings that would look up to me and try to get help from me.

As many mentors know, a proper teacher should eventually be surpassed by the pupil. This is one of the fundamental principles of evolution. Later in the story, Burr develops a more snaky, jealous attribute because of Hamilton’s sway in the government. To his dismay, Hamilton starts receiving an extended amount of attention compared to Burr and is consulted for major decisions. At this point, Burr becomes a more deceptive person because he feels as if he has been ‘overtaken.’ He started by contradicting Hamilton at several meetings with Washington. He also tries to gain influence over significant players in the government, such as Jefferson, Madison, Washington, and others. Eventually, Burr tries to overrule Hamilton’s decisions with his newfound sway. Although Hamilton may have been the bolder of the few, Burr certainly was the smarter and started ‘working up’ to Washington. Hamilton provided a plan to “fight and take a stand with the stamina . . .” (Miranda 61) but Burr and Washington both later agree that “any hope of success is fleeting . . . retreating . . . put a stop to the bleeding . . . mad scrutiny, I scream in the face of this mass mutiny” (Miranda 61). These belligerent acts of rebellion prove that Burr has started disliking Hamilton and is trying to find another new way back to the top of the government. Surely, he knows he won't be the leader and overthrow Washington but he is trying to find himself within the new government by siding with the safer, more sensible paths which were generally against Hamilton. This relates to me in a sense because for many things such as robotics and golf, my brother has learned a lot more from my dad and I. Evolution shows us that the younger people should do better because experiences will be passed down, but now since he has gotten to a become an excellent player and engineer, I can only be jealous and because of this I can empathize with Burr in this way.

At the end of the play, Burr lets Hamilton, his emotions, and his failed campaign get to him.

He feared failure and didn’t want to “throw away his shot,” (Miranda 26) so he decided to concentrate his anger and his effort in vain on a poor disciple who did all he could to bring his country to prosperity. Burr was running for president as well as Jefferson. Neither of the them were large supporters of Hamilton but they could appreciate his thoughts and work to some extent. Despite Hamilton’s shortcomings, the common folk found it in themselves to support Hamilton. He still had many supporters and his endorsement would have been able to make or break the election for the candidates. In the end, Hamilton endorsed Jefferson thus guaranteeing the presidency for Jefferson. In hindsight, Burr felt shamed, ruined his reputation, and realized that the world was a large enough place for Hamilton and his ego. In the midst of his anger he blatantly said that Hamilton,” endorse[d] Thomas Jefferson, his enemy . . . Just to keep me from winning” (Miranda 266). This shows the built up tension and anger being released in a few words by Burr. Afterwards he funneled this anger and challenges Hamilton to a duel. Burr recklessly decided to,”slaughter. This man will not make an orphan of my daughter. . . Look him in the eye, aim no higher. Summon all the courage you require . . ‘Burr fires a shot’” (Miranda 273). This shows that he let Hamilton and his views get the best of him. All joking aside,

I seriously hope this doesn’t happen to me. I can’t say I relate to Burr at this point yet and I hope I never will. I have gotten jealous at times but nothing to this extent. Although Burr later regrets it, the deed was done and it was an irreversible one.

“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” (Miranda 161) were a few ideals that the men of the government at the time were looking for. Aaron Burr and a few other rebellious people decided to work against the sensible decisions in a decisive manner just to single out a man with a big dream and humble beginnings. From the times of being an idol to the death of a pupil, Burr underwent several changes in character and reputation. In all, I feel that I can identify myself closest with Burr for these reasons because of a change in status. From being a ‘renowned expert’ amongst my family and specific classes in several subjects to becoming a second fiddle to the younger, I have been able to sympathize and empathize with Burr for many of his actions. I won’t be throwing away my shot.