70 pages • 2 hours read
Lin Manuel Miranda, Jeremy McCarterHamilton: The Revolution
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
How would you describe how Hamilton formulates America and American identity? Do you think it’s nationalistic or patriotic? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
Consider the structure of Hamilton: The Revolution and how McCarter and Miranda juxtapose different behind-the-scenes narrative with scenes from the libretto of the musical. What point do you think Miranda and McCarter are making via the choice to pair stories with scenes? Explain.
Read and listen to the musical 1776 (1969) by playwright Peter Stone and lyricist Sherman Edwards. Compare how 1776 and Hamilton depict the founding fathers and the formulation of the country.
How does the choice to cast multiracial actors in the roles of historically white people create meaning in relation to the story that is being told? Choose one casting decision from the original production and break down how it works.
Throughout Hamilton: The Revolution, Miranda mentions several instances in which he took creative license with history for the sake of the musical’s structure and storytelling. Choose one and explain the historical anecdote and how Miranda changed it. How do you think this change affected the musical?
Research one historical figure from Hamilton, and compare Miranda’s portrayal of that figure. Do you think Miranda made the historical figure look better? Worse? About the same? Use evidence from the text and your research to make your case.
How does the text draw a parallel between Miranda and Hamilton? How are they similar? How are they different? Do you think this was an apt comparison? Why or why not?
How do you think rap functions dramatically in the musical? Do you think it’s effective in communicating a narrative? How did it affect you personally as a reader/listener?
How would you describe the overall message of Hamilton? What is it trying to say? Do you agree with this sentiment? Why or why not?
Choose a repeated musical motif and explain what the lyrics mean and what the music sounds like in its first appearance. Then trace the motif throughout the musical and explain how it changes, and how the evolution of the motif informs the narrative.
