How Not to Be Like Aaron Burr
I've listened to the Hamilton soundtrack an unhealthy number of times. Everything about it moves me: the story, the characters, the rhythms, the melodies...everything. Either I'm joyfully rocking out, covered in goosebumps or sobbing. It's a good time, I swear.
But the other day when I was listening, I noticed something new and surprisingly personal about the way Lin Manuel Miranda has framed his two opposing main characters. I realized that this blog and my quest for fierceness is like shifting from being a Burr to being a Hamilton.
Now, I have definitely never been in "full-on Burr mode," blaming my life's problems on others, and getting all murdery and whatnot. Similarly, I don't want to turn into a work-obsessed adulterating Hamilton-type who fixates on her legacy. But a shift in the Hamilton direction? That'd be pretty great.
Oh, and also? All of these comments are based on the fictional versions of the characters from the Broadway musical version, not necessarily the real guys. But I trust Lin Manuel.
People-Pleaser -----> Boat-Rocker
Aaron Burr aimed for popularity and to make people happy.
BURR: Talk Less. Smile More. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for. You want to get ahead? Fools who run their mouths off wind up dead.
Furthermore, he simply could not understand how or why Hamilton was so bold in the way he expressed his true thoughts and feelings.
BURR: Why do you always say what you believe?
Aaron's strategy in life seemed to be to never declare his beliefs or principles so as to remain appealing and uncontroversial to everyone. And of course choosing that path may indeed accomplish those goals, but there are a couple of problems when anyone uses this strategy:
- They'll never be truly known
- They'll be easily ignored
Sadly, Aaron Burr experienced both of these ill-effects from his choice to never take a side. And he was pretty damned lonely because of them. On the other hand, Alexander Hamilton had strong principles that he spent his life vigorously defending in speech, writing and actions.
HAMILTON: Burr, I’d rather be divisive than indecisive, drop the niceties.
And yeah...maybe he went a bit overboard at times, sometimes alienating those he loved most in this world, but you have to respect a guy who knows what he believes and isn't afraid to stand behind it. As a result, Alexander Hamilton built deep and fulfilling relationships, despite the fact that he probably was just as hated him as he was adored.
I wonder...
- Could I withstand the emotional weight of being truly hated?
- Would I be able to see it as "worth it" if I felt like I was being true to myself?
- Can I accept a life of never being fully known?
Follower ------> Artist
Alexander Hamilton's will to succeed was unmatched. He wrote NON-STOP and focused all of his efforts on whatever his clear goal was at that moment. He seemed to have a gift for filtering out all of the noise so that he could make rapid progress towards the things that mattered most to him.
BURR: Hamilton’s pace is relentless, he wastes no time
In contrast, Aaron Burr just sort of meandered along in life, keeping his head down while he waited patiently for his next big break. He used his political savvy to align himself to the causes that would get him the fame and recognition he seeks.
BURR: I’ll keep all my plans close to my chest. I’ll wait here and see which way the wind will blow. I’m taking my time, watching the afterbirth of a nation, watching the tension grow.
Here again, Hamilton was building a giant body of work over the course of a lifetime that he became known for while Burr faded into the background. He created nothing. And yet he resented the attention that Hamilton received again and again.
I wonder...
- Can I deal with the trade-offs of truly working my ass off for what I'm trying to build?
- What would I create if I were running out of time (and I am...we all are)?
- Is meandering through life ever ok?
Vilian -----> Hero
And of course, it all comes down to this: In this story, Hamilton is our hero. And Burr? Well...
BURR: Now I’m the villain in your history. I was too young and blind to see...I should’ve known. I should’ve known the world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me.
And of course, this is a fictionalized version of the truth and real-life is way more complicated. But that's the beauty of theatre: it distills reality down the the very essence so you can feel the full force of the message to be learned. For me, despite his tragic flaws, I want to be like Hamilton when I grow up. He inspires me. He makes me believe in a better tomorrow. And he makes me ashamed of how Burr-like I can sometimes be. But tomorrow I can choose something different. "And I am not throwing away my shot."
All lyrics listed above are from Hamilton by Lin Manuel Miranda
Book, Music and Lyrics by LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
Inspired by the book ALEXANDER HAMILTON by RON CHERNOW
Choreography by ANDY BLANKENBUEHLER
Directed by THOMAS KAIL