10 Historical Inaccuracies You Should Know About In Hamilton

The Creative License of Hamilton 🎭

In the vibrant tapestry of musical theatre, few shows have captured the imaginations of audiences around the globe quite like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. This groundbreaking production tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an architect of the American financial system, through a contemporary musical lens, blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway styles. However, while Hamilton excels in its storytelling and innovation, it also takes significant liberties with historical facts. This article delves into 10 Historical Inaccuracies 🎩 you might not have noticed in the musical, offering insight into the creative choices made for dramatic effect.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Hamilton+Musical+Stage+Performance" alt="Hamilton Musical Stage Performance"> </div>

The Duel 🌋

The famous duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, though a pivotal moment in the narrative, has several inaccuracies:

• Location: The duel is portrayed as occurring on a grassy hilltop with dramatic cliff edges. In reality, it took place in Weehawken, New Jersey, at a relatively flat and clear site.
• Second's Position: In the show, Burr and Hamilton face each other, with their seconds just a few feet away. Historical accounts suggest the seconds were much further back to avoid any ricochets.

<p class="pro-note">🎯 Note: The creative choice to dramatize the duel location enhances the visual and emotional impact on the audience, emphasizing the gravity and high stakes of the confrontation.</p>

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Alexander+Hamilton+Aaron+Burr+Duel" alt="Alexander Hamilton Aaron Burr Duel"> </div>

Eliza's Story 📚

Eliza Hamilton is given a more active role in the musical, particularly post-Hamilton:

• Burning of Letters: Eliza burns letters to cope with Hamilton’s betrayal, a dramatic moment not recorded in history. The real Eliza likely preserved many of her husband's papers.
• Orphanage: The musical mentions Eliza starting an orphanage, which she did, but this occurred many years after Hamilton's death.

<p class="pro-note">📚 Note: Eliza’s portrayal highlights her resilience and agency, offering a narrative arc that mirrors her real-life contributions but with embellishments for storytelling.</p>

Hamilton’s Relationship with Angelica 🌺

The portrayal of a potential romantic or more-than-friendly relationship between Hamilton and Angelica Schuyler:

• Letters: While there are flirtatious letters, there’s no concrete evidence of a romantic affair or deeper emotional connection than what the show implies.
• Family Dynamics: The Schuyler sisters' dynamics are heavily dramatized. Historical records indicate a closer relationship between Angelica and Hamilton, but not in the romantic context the musical suggests.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Angelica+Schuyler+Hamilton+Relationship" alt="Angelica Schuyler Hamilton Relationship"> </div>

Washington's Farewell to Hamilton 🇺🇸

The musical shows George Washington appointing Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury:

• Historical Appointment: Washington did appoint Hamilton, but this was done earlier in his presidency, not as part of his farewell speech.

<p class="pro-note">🇺🇸 Note: This dramatic choice underscores the personal relationship between Washington and Hamilton, emphasizing mentorship over historical chronology.</p>

The Reynolds Pamphlet 📝

In the musical, Hamilton writes and publishes the Reynolds Pamphlet to counter accusations of financial misconduct:

• Timing: In reality, the pamphlet was published after Hamilton had left his post, not while he was still in office.
• Content: The show simplifies the content, which was far more detailed in the actual document.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Hamilton+Reynolds+Pamphlet" alt="Hamilton Reynolds Pamphlet"> </div>

Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson 🏛️

The musical touches upon Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, but not directly:

• Public Knowledge: At the time, Sally Hemings was not publicly acknowledged as Jefferson’s mistress or as having children with him, though rumors existed.

King George III's Reign 👑

The portrayal of King George III in Hamilton is highly exaggerated:

• Characterization: King George is depicted as both comic and menacing, with songs like "You'll Be Back" showcasing him as more of a caricature than the historical figure.

Immigration and Identity 🇺🇸

Hamilton's immigrant status is emphasized in the musical:

• Birthplace: While it's true Hamilton was born out of the British colonies, emphasizing his outsider status might oversimplify his integration into New York society.

Cabinet Battles 🔔

The "Cabinet Battle" scenes are largely fictional:

• Debate Style: The rapped debates between Hamilton and Jefferson never happened in this manner, though their political disagreements were well documented.

The Death of Phillip Hamilton 💔

Phillip Hamilton's death is dramatized:

• Reaction: The musical shows Eliza screaming at the news, but accounts suggest she remained calm during the initial news of her son's death.

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Hamilton+Philip+Death" alt="Hamilton Philip Death"> </div>

Conclusion

Hamilton takes immense creative license to deliver an engaging, thought-provoking narrative that resonates with modern audiences. While these historical inaccuracies may detract from the factual integrity, they contribute to the storytelling genius that has made Hamilton a cultural phenomenon. Each creative choice serves a purpose, whether it's to deepen character arcs, heighten drama, or provide commentary on themes relevant to contemporary society.

FAQs

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Was Alexander Hamilton really killed instantly in the duel?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Historically, Hamilton was mortally wounded but lingered for about 31 hours after the duel.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Did Angelica Schuyler really have feelings for Alexander Hamilton?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>While they shared a close friendship, there is no definitive evidence that their feelings were romantic.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Was the Reynolds Pamphlet necessary for Hamilton's career?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Hamilton published the pamphlet to clear his name from accusations of financial impropriety, but it didn't help his political standing.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How did Lin-Manuel Miranda approach historical accuracy in Hamilton?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Miranda has stated he aimed to capture the spirit of history and its relevance today rather than strict historical accuracy.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>