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#and in the play eliza does forgive hamilton for his affair
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It’s Quiet Uptown
A/N: Another Hamilton AU semi-songfic? Yes. Please don’t ask me why. It’s going to hurt at first, but I promise it will get better by the end.
Pairings: Prinxiety
TW: Mentions of past infidelity, grief, death of a child, and swearing
Roman stood in the doorway of their new house, watching his husband. He’d been relegated to silently watching from the shadows since his affair had come to light, and he’d thought that was awful but this? This was so much worse. He’d never felt grief on this scale before, never known pain like this in his life, and knowing that Virgil was feeling it too, on top of the pain of his infidelity, was salt in the wound. For as long as he lived, he’d never forget the sound Virgil had made as their oldest son, Phillip, had breathed his final breath. That wail of despair, something soul deep, would haunt his nightmares for years to come.
Virgil didn’t move from his spot on the bench in their garden, his brown eyes staring blankly ahead. Phillip’s baby blanket was clutched in his hands, and the only indication he’d noticed Roman’s approach at all was the slight tensing of his shoulders and the way his body flinched away. Roman kept his distance, knowing he wasn’t welcome right now, but he stood at his husband’s side. “I know I don’t deserve you, Virgil. I never have...but hear me out, please?”
Virgil didn’t answer, just sat there, eyes closed as tears streamed down his face. He gave the smallest nod, and Roman felt a wave of relief so acute he almost drowned in it. “Thank you...god, thank you, Virgil. If I could spare his life, if I could have traded his life for mine, Phillip would be standing here right now. You know I’d have given anything, done anything, to save him. There aren’t words for this, and I know that there is still so much you are rightfully angry at me for...but please don’t shut me out. Not in this.”
Virgil’s head was bowed over the blanket, tears glistening on the soft yarn. He gave another nod, and Roman fell to his knees next to the bench. Tears clouded his own vision as he looked up at his husband. “I don’t pretend to know the challenges we’re facing, trying to get through this. And I know there’s no replacing what we’ve lost...but I’m not afraid. I know who I married. Just let me stay by your side, Virgil. You don’t have to speak to me, you don’t have to acknowledge me, just promise me we can spend a little time each day in each other’s company? Please!”
“....Alright.” Virgil’s voice was quiet, hoarse with tears, but Roman thought he’d never heard a sweeter sound in his life. It was the first his husband had spoken to him since that awful day. He couldn’t suppress the small sob of relief that escaped him, bowing his head quickly so he wouldn’t have to look Virgil in the eye.
“Thank you.” Roman said softly as he rose to his feet. He spent the next hour standing quietly next to the bench, occasionally uttering soft remembrances of Phillip. Sometimes Virgil responded, sometimes he was silent, but just having him there was enough. When his husband had reached his limit, he stood and walked into the house, and Roman let him go. It was a lot to ask, and he knew it was, but this was a grief that neither of them could bear alone.
Over the next few weeks, they developed a routine. Roman would go to the store alone to pick up what supplies his family would need for the week. When he returned, he and Virgil would go for a walk together, taking in the sights of the city. Virgil refused to take his arm, to touch him, but he would allow Roman to walk by his side and listen to him chatter about whatever they were seeing that day.
In the past, it was always Virgil who took the children for an outing on Sunday. In his grief, he withdrew into himself, so the duty fell to Roman. He gladly did whatever he could to ease any burden for his husband, devoting more time to Virgil and their children than he ever had before. It was cruel that it had taken the death of his oldest son after the near dissolution of his marriage to understand what was really important, but Roman had always been stubborn. Maybe this was the only way he could truly learn.
In the months that followed, they all mourned for Phillip, but life had to go on. The new routine worked for them, and slowly Virgil began to smile again. Small, quiet things, but Roman noticed some life returning to those brown eyes. The children began to play again, giggles filling their once somber house. Roman began to appreciate the quiet, something he’d always detested in the past, but there was something to be said for moments of peace.
His favorite part of the day was the hour he spent in the garden, just standing by Virgil’s side. He would talk about everything and nothing, keeping no secrets from his husband. He told him everything, things he’d never told anyone, not even Logan. Perhaps he knew on a subconscious level that Virgil had seen the very best and very worst of him, so there was no sense in hiding anymore. Some days, Virgil would listen quietly. Some days, like the day he’d spilled everything that led to his affair, Virgil would stand and leave without a word. The best days were when he could get his husband to smile a little, or snort in amusement, or speak to him at all.
Roman was standing in his usual spot today, just looking out over the garden. Virgil was seated on the bench, like always. There was a gentle breeze today, ruffling his husband’s hair, making him look even more beautiful. Roman knew he himself didn’t look nearly as good, the stress of everything having added gray to his hair and lines to his face where none had existed before, but Virgil? He looked just as beautiful as he had the day they’d married. “I am a fool, Virgil.”
“If you are expecting an argument from me, you are in for a very long wait.” Virgil quipped, one of his small smiles curving his lips.
“No, darling. You know better,” Roman said with a chuckle.
“True. What prompted this thought, praytell? Have you done something even more foolish that I should be aware of?” Virgil asked, his brown eyes dancing with hidden amusement.
“Well, I did fall into that pond the other day, but you already laughed at me for it. No, darling, I was just looking at you and thinking that I am the biggest fool alive because I had you and thought there could ever be anything better. I was graced with the best of husbands, the very best of men, and yet I sought others. I was a fool to ever have tried.” Roman answered honestly, looking off in the direction of the pond with a grin. It was nothing he hadn’t said before, really. He’d apologized countless times for what he’d put Virgil through, had made countless vows to never do such a thing again, but his husband had never acknowledged any of it. He expected Virgil to ignore this statement just the same, so he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a soft, delicate hand touch his own.
“You certainly are a fool. But I suppose that you are my fool, so I shall have to endure.” Virgil said softly, lacing their fingers together. “It’s quiet uptown. I think I’ve grown to like it better.”
Roman didn’t move, hardly dared breathe, as he looked down at his husband, at their joined hands. He felt tears stinging his eyes, a weight on his chest as he struggled to breathe. He didn’t deserve this, didn’t deserve this quiet forgiveness. “I quite agree,” he managed to say, squeezing Virgil’s hand gently.
“You must be tired. Come, sit beside me.” Virgil offered, moving to the side, and Roman wasn’t sure if he blindly obeyed or if his legs simply collapsed underneath him as he sat heavily in the spot provided. Virgil looked up at him, a warmth in his eyes that he hadn’t seen in a very long time lingering in them, and he was vaguely aware that his tears were spilling over, streaking down his face.
“I love you, Virgil. I don’t deserve this, don’t deserve you, but god help me, I will greedily take any morsel of affection you give me and beg on my hands and knees for more!” Roman said shakily, his thumb brushing over Virgil’s hand. His husband reached up with his free hand and wiped those tears away, cupping his face.
“I thought I would hate you forever, I truly did. I wanted to. But my heart has always been yours, and I cannot seem to take it back, no matter how hard I try. If you will swear to me, here and now, that you will never hide from me again, that you will continue to share all...then I could perhaps see a way to call you mine again.” Virgil’s voice was quiet, but Roman felt each syllable in his soul.
“I would swear anything you asked of me, if only to be yours again for even a moment! Everything I am, flawed and worthless though it may be, is yours. Will always be yours, just as you have always been mine.” Roman nuzzled into his husband’s hand, basking in his affection, in the warmth of the love he’d carelessly tossed aside once before. Never again, never!
Virgil leaned closer, and Roman felt the gentle press of soft lips against his own for the first time in years. He melted into the kiss, tasting the salt from his tears mixed into it, and he eagerly responded with fervor. When they broke apart, Virgil leaned his forehead against Roman’s, huffing out a quiet laugh. “Then I will call you mine, and keep you as such. I love you, Roman.”
“Words and a sentiment I will cherish and prize until my dying days.” Roman replied softly, pulling his husband into his arms, relishing the way they fit together. “I cannot promise I will never be foolish enough to fall into a pond, or lose something of value, but I can promise I will never be foolish enough to falter in my dedication to you and our family ever again. You are my legacy, and the only one worth having.”
He looked out over their garden, with Virgil tucked in his arms, and closed his eyes in contentment. This peace, this affection, may not last forever, but it was enough. More than enough. He sighed happily as Virgil nuzzled into his chest and pressed a kiss to his hair. Yes, he really was learning to love the quiet.
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moonmeg · 3 years
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Angelica and Georges angst? 👀
Time for a comic that was planned at one time but will not be illustrated. Enjoy, I guess
Georges: Next time we visit my parents you can go on your own.
Angelica: Georges...
Georges: No! How can they pretend they're this happily married couple and act like nothing ever happened?
Angelica: Maybe because they wanted to move on? And maybe because they knew if they wanted to keep being together, they'd have to move on.
Georges: At what cost?
Angelica: Giving you and your sisters the opportunity to grow up with a mother and a father.
Georges: Yeah... like my father ever truly cared about us.
Angelica: Now you're being too harsh. I see the way he looks at you with pride and I see how much he adores you and your sisters. Of course it hurts to know he cheated on your mother...but he's still your father.
Georges: My creator is all he is. You have no idea what it's like to grow up in a broken family. Seeing your mother hurt. Cry. And still pretending everything is perfect to the outside.
Angelica: My father hasn't been most ideal either. Putting work before us sometimes and-
Georges: Well at least he is there for you all the time. Any of you, you or your siblings, you just need to snap with a finger and he'll jump to help you in seconds flat. And he didn't break your mother's heart.
Angelica: What is your problem?!
Georges: My problem is that my parents play the happy married couple when their marriage hasn't been happy since the affair!
Angelica: How do you know? You haven't lived with your parents for years! Maybe they actually restored their marriage. Forgive and forget. If your mother was able to-
Georges: My mother is just too proud to divorce.
Angelica: Your mother loves your father!
Georges: Oh so now you know exactly how my mother feels towards her husband? What marriage could ever again be happy after an affair?!
Angelica: If I told you I have slept with another man, would our marriage too never be happy again? Can you not still love me?
Georges: I- This has nothing to do with us.
Angelica: Answer the question. I cheated. I confess or you discover yourself. Does your love for me just die?
Georges: Angelica...
Angelica: No. No it doesn't. Trust can break and yes, if I cheated your trust in me would shatter. But I you truly love me--
Georges: You're wrong. I... I wouldn't give you a second chance... even if I still loved you.
Angelica: ... I see.
Well then...
Georges: What are you doing?
Angelica: I'm going.
Georges: Where?!
Angelica: To my parents. I need a break off your ignorance.
Georges: Ignorance?! Fine, you- you know what? Leave! You can stay with your parents forever if you want to! Why don't you also divorce me?
Angelica: Don't test me, Lafayette.
_________________________
[At the Hamiltons]
Angelica: Mom?
Eliza: What is it, my love?
Angelica: I- I'm late.
Eliza: What for?
Angelica: I'm late
Eliza: Oh- oh goodness! And... is there reason to assume?
Angelica: I'm afraid so. It's some weeks back but... Georges and I...
Eliza: I'll call your dad and tell him to bring a pregnancy test okay?
Angelica: mhm...
Eliza: In the meantime you sit down and enjoy some of your grandmamas tea! It'll be alright, dear. Don't worry.
________________
[Later]
Alexander: At first I thought the test was for you, Bets. I got really worried.
Eliza: No, I think my fertile days are over, sweetheart. I had a good run though. Eight kids.
Alexander: Eight wonderful kids.
Eliza: Geli! Dear, and? What does it say?
Angelica: Nothing yet.
Alexander: Hey, what's the matter, little lamb?
Angelica: I can't be pregnant. Not now! Not when Georges' and my relationship is so damaged.
Eliza: See it in a positive light: if you are pregnant, your relationship will most likely restore.
Angelica: I don't want a baby to be the reason we make up. I want to actually have it out of the world and not force it by being pregnant.
Alexander: You should just talk to Georges. This entire fight you had is just a difference in opinions.
Angelica: I'm not going to give in and ask him to talk. He's the one who provoked me.
Eliza: You both provoked each other. Both of your views are valid. For some people cheating is unforgivable, others believe the relationship deserves a second chance. And it's not even your own relationship you argued about but Gilbert and Adrienne's.
Angelica: I just hate how he won't accept that his father means his apology and how his parents can be happy again.
Alexander: I think the test should be ready.
Angelica: *sigh*
....
Two lines.
I'm pregnant.
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tvandenneagram · 4 years
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Hamilton Enneagram types
I know that this is mainly a TV blog, but I have loved Hamilton ever since it came out and wanted to type the characters since the ‘film’ came out this week 😊
Alexander Hamilton - 3w4 - 1w2 - 7w8
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Hamilton is the archetypal 3, he is obsessed with raising his station and finding success. Hamilton works tirelessly and never ‘takes a break’ which causes problems with his loved ones. He is fixated on creating a legacy and does not want to go back to the poverty of which he came from. Hamilton is assertive and takes every opportunity he has to succeed. He advises Burr that you get nothing if you wait for it and encourages him to stand up for his beliefs. Towards the end of the musical, he has lost his son and his career, making him more unhealthy. During this time he is withdrawn, listless and shows little motivation (disintegrating to 9). 
Key lyrics:
“Hey yo, I'm just like my country I'm young, scrappy, and hungry. And I'm not throwing away my shot”
“I probably shouldn't brag, but dag, I amaze and astonish”
“Will you relish being a poor man’s wife. Unable to provide for your life?”
“As a kid in the Caribbean I wished for a war. I knew that I was poor. I knew it was the only way to rise up! ... If they tell my story I am either gonna die on the battlefield in glory or rise up!”
Eliza (about Hamilton): “You and your words obsessed with your legacy. Your sentences border on senseless. And you are paranoid in every paragraph how they perceive you”
Aaron Burr - 9w1 - 3w2 - 5w6
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Burr always keeps his stances on different issues ‘close to his chest’ because he doesn’t want to say something that can be used against him. He does have values and feelings, he just isn’t open with his feelings and doesn’t say anything to keep the peace. In the later part of the play, Burr begins to show his ambition more openly and begins to campaign for president. He starts to take more initiative and tries to be more like Hamilton and take what he wants rather than ‘waiting for it’. As Burr gets into the lower levels of health, he becomes paranoid like a 6 as we can see in “The Room Where It Happens.” When Hamilton supports Jefferson for the presidency, Burr becomes vengeful and challenges Hamilton to a duel. He does not understand why Hamilton would support his enemy over his friend, when all Burr is trying to do is take Hamilton’s advice. Burr is ultimately very jealous of Hamilton, as he believes that Hamilton gets everything he wants by taking it. Burr’s style of lying in wait directly contrasts Hamilton’s more assertive nature and deep down he wishes he was more like Hamilton.
Key Lyrics:
“I'm not standing still, I am lying in wait”
“Talk less. Smile more. Don’t let them know what you’re against or what you’re for”
“What is it like in his shoes? Hamilton doesn't hesitate. He exhibits no restraint. He takes and he takes and he takes and he keeps winning anyway.”
“I’ll keep all my plans close to my chest (wait for it, wait for it). I’ll wait here and see which way the wind will blow. I’m taking my time watching the afterbirth of the nation, watching the tension grow”
“I am slow to anger, but I toe the line as I reckon with the effects of your life on mine”
“I wanna be in the room where it happens”
Eliza Schuyler - 9w1 - 2w1 - 6w7
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Eliza is kind-hearted, caring and naive. She is shy, but she is fiercely loyal to her loved ones. She has a tendency to go with the flow and is very easily influenced. Eliza is deeply trusting and tends to take what Hamilton says at face value. It seems that she is naive to Hamilton’s intentions to raise his station and to his later affair. She is helpless when it comes to Hamilton and hangs on his every word. Eliza wants Hamilton to give her more attention and show her more affection. She wants to show him that there is more to life than creating a legacy. Eliza is very forgiving and when their son dies, she shows Hamilton the ultimate compassion by forgiving him. In her later life she becomes more of an activist and speaks out against slavery as well as establishing an orphanage to help children. 
Key lyrics:
“I have never been the type to try and grab the spotlight”
“I'm erasing myself from the narrative. Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted when you broke her heart”
“We don’t need a legacy. We don’t need money. If I could grant you peace of mind. If you could let me inside your heart…”
“I stop wasting time on tears I live another fifty years It’s not enough”
Angelica (about Eliza):  “I know my sister like I know my own mind. You will never find anyone as trusting or as kind”
Angelica (about Eliza): “ If I tell her that I love him she’d be silently resigned. He’d be mine. She would say, “I’m fine”. She’d be lying.”
Company: “Forgiveness. Can you imagine?” 
Angelica Schuyler: 6w7 - 1w2 - 2w3 
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Angelica was very hard to type, we were stuck between 1 and 6 because she is very, very compliant. One of her defining characteristics is her self-sacrificing nature and devotion to her sister. Angelica values duty and tries to do what is right for her family. When she meets Hamilton, she is able to correctly deduce that he wants to be with her because of her family’s social status. Despite feeling an instant attraction to him, she sets him up with Eliza instead because (as the oldest) she has to fulfill her father’s expectations and marry into society. Angelica is also extremely loyal to Eliza and her family, as most of her actions are in service to them. When she returns from London, she reacts aggressively to Hamilton as he betrayed Eliza. 
Key Lyrics:
“I’m a girl in a world in which my only job is to marry rich. My father has no sons so I’m the one who has to social climb for one”
“He’s after me cos I’m a Schuyler sister. That elevates his status, I’d have to be naive to set that aside”
“In a letter I received from you two weeks ago I noticed a comma in the middle of a phrase. It changed the meaning. Did you intend this?”
“Some men say that I’m intense or I’m insane. You want a revolution? I want a revelation - so listen to my declaration”
“And when I meet Thomas Jefferson Imma compel him to include women in the sequel”
George Washington - 1w9 - 6w7 - 3w2
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Washington has very strong principles which manifest in his efforts for the revolution. He has a tendency to dwell on his past mistakes and feels deep shame over them. Washington takes Hamilton under his wing and wants to show him the wisdom that he has learned throughout his life. He remains true to his convictions and fights for what he believes in. Washington abdicates his presidency because he knows that it is the right thing for the nation. He understands that for the nation to move forward there needs to be different leaders and viewpoints. Washington wants his address to inform of the wisdom he gained from leading the country and help advise America’s future leaders.
Key lyrics:
“I made every mistake. I felt the shame rise in me and even now I lie awake knowing history has its eyes on me”
“Dying is easy, young man. Living is harder”
“Pick up a pen, start writing. I wanna talk about what I have learned. The hard-won wisdom I have earned”
“Can I be real a second? For just a millisecond? Let down my guard and tell the people how I feel a second? Now I’m the model of a modern major general the venerated Virginian veteran whose men are all lining up, to put me up on a pedestal, writin’ letters to relatives, embellishin’ my elegance and eloquence”  
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aion-rsa · 4 years
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Why Eliza is the Real Hero of Hamilton
https://ift.tt/2ZATEMv
We can all woop King George III style now that Hamilton is now available for the world to watch on Disney+. The long awaited recording of the global sensation is 2 hours and 40 minutes of pure magic – a beautiful retelling of the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. We presume the show is all about Alexander, as he is in nearly every scene. Although he played such an important role in the Revolution and in forming the nation’s government, the show’s namesake – Hamilton – also plays homage to his wife, Eliza Hamilton. 
It may take the story unfolding for us to realise that Eliza was, in fact, the real hero of Hamilton. Not only did she play a huge role in the show, but in American history. 
Eliza, then a Schuyler, is introduced with her sisters Angelica and Peggy in an early number before she takes centre stage during ‘Helpless’. Not only does she sing about how she isn’t one to ‘grab the spotlight’, but she has no concerns with the fact her fiance is penniless, and that she would be settling for far less than the high society she was born into. Her father Philip Schuyler was a Revolutionary War General, and her mother Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler was born into one of the richest and most influential families in New York. Whereas her Alexander was born out of wedlock to an already married woman, Rachel Faucette, and a Scotsman that abandoned the family some years later. Through the lyrical genius of Lin Manuel-Miranda, Philipa Soo explores the true selflessness of Eliza during the song. 
The next time we really see Eliza is during ‘That Would Be Enough’ where she sings to her husband upon his return from war. Pregnant, emotional and not having heard from or seen her husband in months, she still remains the rock when he breaks down. She reiterates how the only thing important to her is that he remain alive and meet their son, and talks about how amazed she is by his accomplishments thus far. During this time, the real Eliza Hamilton was also assisting her husband in his political writings – much of the information laid out in the letters that would go on to be hugely influential in American Revolutionary history, were in her writing. 
Then our hearts start to break. We begin to see the impact Alexander’s tenacious, legacy driven lifestyle is having on his family life. Remaining ever calm, Eliza pleads with her husband during ‘Take a Break’ rather than going full crazy mode on him (like we would…) for missing important milestones in his children’s lives. All she wants is some love and affection from her husband, not even half the devotion he gives to his country, but still remains happy when he refuses her proposal. 
In 1787, pregnant with their fourth child, Eliza took in Fanny Antill, the two year old daughter of Hamilton’s closest friend Colonel Edward Antill, who had recently lost her mother. She mothered 8 Hamilton children, as well as suffering a miscarriage in the wake of her youngest child falling ill. Eliza managed to do this while maintaining her household throughout multiple moves to accommodate her husband’s career (yes, really – she did maintain her own household despite living in a very sexist and classist society), being at the forefront of American society, constantly attending dinners and having little to no private life. Sounds like the dream, right? Having your every move sprawled across the national press, and being constantly watched and judged, is the modern nightmare. 
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What we don’t see in the show, is that Eliza aided Alexander hugely throughout his career. She acted as a mediator between Alexander and his publisher for The Federalist Papers, and is reported to have helped him perfect Washington’s Farewell Address in 1796. It’s perhaps surprising – this was the 18th century, and she was a woman – but it’s true. 
Here comes the real hard-hitter. In 1797, Alexander Hamilton admitted to his one year affair with the much younger Maria Reynolds that had taken place 8 years prior. In case you missed it in the show, he doesn’t just admit his infidelity to his wife, he instead published the Reynolds Pamphlet, a 95 page document detailing how he brought Mrs Reynolds into his marital bed behind his loving wife’s back. The Hamilton-Reynolds affair was one of the first sex scandals in American political history, and was just another example of how hard it was to be a powerless wife in the limelight at this time. Most of us would up and leave the sorry man that did that to us, but instead, despite being pregnant with their sixth child, Eliza composed herself and relocated to her parents house in Albany to give birth and escape the drama. 
It’s impossible not to feel your eyes flood with tears when Eliza sings ‘Burn’. Devastated when she learns about her husband’s affair through the public Reynolds Pamphlet, Eliza, like all of us would in that situation, questions whether the words he had said to her throughout their relationship had meant anything at all. She worries that her children will feel the effects of the affair, and sings with passion about her anger, shock and humiliation. For the first time, we see Eliza consciously grip control of the situation and ‘erase herself from the narrative’ in one of the show’s most powerful scenes. 
Her life continued to be marred by tragedy. Just 4 years later, her eldest son Philip Hamilton was killed at 19 in a duel after his father had encouraged him to delope (fire into the air) and throw away his first shot, counsel that would lead to his untimely death. Again, we see Eliza continue to sob her way through the next number as she prays for her son to survive during the reprise of ‘Stay Alive’. 
‘Forgiveness, can you imagine?’ Embarrassed and betrayed by her husband’s affair, and now heartbroken by the death of her son, which was influenced by the advice of his own father, broken and beaten, Eliza chooses to forgive and stand by her husband. Of course, this shouldn’t be overly celebrated, because Alexander was a total idiot in making those decisions, but choosing to stand by her husband’s side shows the compassion and love deep rooted within her. Just a few more years later, her brother and sister Peggy died unexpectedly, followed by her mother and then her husband in 1804. Although she had enormous privileges throughout her life, it was one also filled with sorrow and unrest. 
The final scene is perhaps the most important in letting us into something that may have been quite hard to identify throughout the rest of the show. Although the majority of the story is about Alexander, we learn that the storyteller, in this case Eliza, is just as important as the person that the story is about. Let’s not forget that Rob Chernow cited Eliza as being one of the most important sources when writing the biography Alexander Hamilton, which the show is based upon. This is Eliza’s story, too. Without her, we wouldn’t know as much about Alexander, or his role in the Revolution and American politics, as we do today. 
A new element of the story is introduced in the final few moments when Lin Manuel-Miranda steps outside of his character as Alexander, and into his real self. Lin then introduces Eliza to the audience, where she can see what her work has done. She gasps and grabs hold of her heart in astonishment as she sees how she has helped immortalise the story of her late husband, and of a huge chunk of American Revolutionary history. 
We don’t see much from Eliza after the death of Alexander, but we do learn about some of the things she accomplished following his death. She helped raise funds to memorialise George Washington with a statue in D.C., she spoke out against slavery, and defended her husband against his critics and dedicated the rest of her life to telling his story. But there are stories we don’t see. Eliza was so devoted to preserving his legacy that she reorganised all of his paperwork and letters along with their son John and fought relentlessly to get his biography published. With the help of his mother, John C. Hamilton would go on to publish his father’s first biography. She was known for wearing a small package around her neck that contained a sonnet which Alexander wrote for her during their early courtship. Even during her nineties, she prompted Congress to allow her to buy and publish Alexander’s works, adding them to the Library of Congress to help future historians know him. 
But what is she proudest of? She founded the Orphan Asylum Society, dedicating over 42 years of her life to caring for and educating over 700 children. Eliza is noted as being one of the first female philanthropists, and is regarded as one of the most generous Americans that reformed the nation. 
At the very end when singing with the ensemble, she asks for the first time “will they tell my story?” rather than “will they tell your story?”, showing that she remained modest and selfless to the very end. Everything was all about the greater good or her family.
She really is the ‘Best of Wives and Women’. 
The post Why Eliza is the Real Hero of Hamilton appeared first on Den of Geek.
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buttsonthebeach · 6 years
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*bangs fists on the table* I need a Hamilton solas meta! Have you done this and I missed it? I think it’s such a cool idea and you’ve done some cool stuff with the idea 💕
MY FRIEND.
Thank you for giving me the excuse to do the post I have wanted to do forever and ever and ever. (It got really long. I’m sorry?)
I was deep in the depths of my Hamilton obsession (which, like Solavellan hell, is eternal) when I first played Inquisition, and at first I thought it was just the fact that I was obsessed with both that made me see so many parallels, but the more I have thought about it, the more I have thought that there are truly some fascinating connections between the two “main” characters in the musical (Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr) and our favorite unwashed apostate hobo, as well as the overall plot of Inquisition.
For starters, who do you think said something along these lines: I can totally fix this mistake by making a different, bigger mistake. (Okay, this one isn’t a direct quote, but listen to the song “Hurricane” and tell me it isn’t what Hamilton is saying.)
Or this: Death doesn’t discriminate / Between the sinners and the saints/ It takes and it takes and it takes / And history obliterates / Every picture it paints / It paints me in all my mistakes
Sound eerily familiar?
So, the meta that has guided my characterization of Solas pretty much since I started writing him is this: Solas was an Alexander Hamilton who lived long enough to see himself become an Aaron Burr, and if he has any hope of redemption, it lies in him returning to those Hamiltonian sides of himself.
When you first meet Hamilton in the musical, he is the “young scrappy and hungry” revolutionary who talks too much and cares even more. To me, this is the perfect analog to Solas in his early days in Elvhenan. As he tells Blackwall, he was once “cocky and hot-blooded,” just as Hamilton is when he first arrives in America. We know he was highly idealistic, just as Hamilton is, and it wouldn’t shock me to find out he also had something to prove. I doubt he was a member of Elvhenan’s ruling class, at least not to start out. I also love that both young Hamilton and Solas are anti-slavery, a position that was revolutionary in both of their societies at the time.
Next, Hamilton and Solas both get wrapped up in a war, and are handpicked by a famous general to be their “right hand man” - in Hamilton’s case, Washington’s - in Solas’s case, Mythal’s. I tend to believe that Mythal was not Solas’s lover, but instead a trusted mentor and friend, or even a mother figure, just as Washingotn becomes a complex father figure for Hamilton. I also tend to believe that Solas may have struggled to overcome his cocky and hot-blooded nature despite his increasing social status and political power, just as Hamilton does.
(Now, this is where we skip a big chunk of the musical - mainly the romance with Eliza - but I’ll get back to that.)
Like Hamilton, Solas is an incredible talent, but this talent begins to sow the seeds of their undoing. Hamilton is an incredible legal and financial mind who writes “financial systems into existence” the same way that Solas creates the Veil, which was equally as unprecedented. But, even as they reach the peak in their careers, they also approach their downfall - Hamilton because of his affair with Maria Reynolds, and Solas because of his inability to accept Mythal’s betrayal and death. (Although Solas’s downfall also seems to be connected to his deeply held ideals, and we don’t have the full story there yet.)
Both men take drastic actions that they believe will fix this - Hamilton with the “Reynolds Pamphlet” confessing to the affair before anyone can use it against him, and Solas with the creation of the Veil. Both actions fix part of the problem, but lead to a ripple of unintended consequences (Hamilton’s estrangement from his beloved wife and loss of his political career, and Solas’s descent into uthenera, and the end of Thedas as he knew it).
Here is where they diverge - Hamilton’s downward spiral leads more or less to the death of his son, his reconciliation with Eliza, and then to his death in a duel. But while Solas seemingly dies - he also wakes up thousands of years later in a world he barely recognizes.
Enter Aaron Burr.
Burr already has status, wealth, power, knowledge - but he is deeply alone, saying that “everyone who loves me has died,” and deeply obsessed with his legacy. Sound like Solas, post-elevation to “godhood” and uthenera? Rather than choosing to stand for something, Burr wants to “talk less and smile more” and always seeks to take actions that lead to his own advancement, rather than choosing his actions based on his ideals. To me, this rings so much of Solas in his early Inquisition days. He actively hides behind a mask, he deceives, he takes actions that benefit his agenda and no one else’s (like giving the orb to Corypheus). Burr, unlike Hamilton, does not cultivate a close group of friends, and instead stands alone, much like Solas.
The thing is, in my mind, Solas never slips fully into being Burr - we still always get glimpses of the Hamilton underneath, or of Burr’s own softer side. (One great thing about this musical is that Burr is never fully a villain, just as I would argue that Solas is not fully a villain.) Burr also falls in love, also becomes a father, also has doubts and insecurities. Solas still approves when you help people, still approves of the Inquisitor seeking the understand the world around them better even as he plans to destroy that world.
Now, enter Eliza/Lavellan. (See, I said we’d come back to it!)
Of course, this is where the parallels only exist if you play your game this way. I can’t necessarily say that this is true of all Lavellans, or of worldstates where Solas does not have a romance. But, I do think it has some great parallels to any worldstate where Solas is romanced, even if they aren’t perfect.
Eliza is in awe of Hamilton, saying that there’s “nothing that [his] mind can’t do,” and describing how her love for him has her “helpless,” a word that feels innocent enough in the throes of young love, but still contains the seed of future heartbreak. She is a grounding force for Hamilton, constantly seeking to draw him back to the real, to the now, and out of his world of grand ideals. “That Would Be Enough” will forever be one of my all-time favorite Solavellan songs for that reason. I mean, look at this:
Oh, let me be apart of the narrative
In the story they will write someday
Let this moment be the first chapter
Where you decide to stay
And I could be enough
And we could be enough
That would be enough
(Again, the characterization of your Lavellan might not fall in line with this, but to me it captures so much of the wistfulness that I see in so much Solavellan.)
But, here’s where I see another parallel - Lavellan is also a source of temptation for Solas, pulling him away from his true purpose and plans. She is not only his Eliza, but his Maria Reynolds. “Say No To This” was actually the first song that made me sit up and go “holy shit, this is such a Solas song.” I mean, come on:
Lord, show me how to say no to this
I don’t know how to say no to this
But my god she looks so helpless
And her body’s saying hell yes
I see you, Mr. I-can’t-stop-myself-from-kissing-Lavellan-even-when-I-know-it’s-a-bad-idea. (Also, look at Lin-Manuel Miranda flawlessly bringing the word “helpless” back, this time with a different woman, to draw his own parallels between Eliza and Maria. Damn, he’s good.)
And unfortunately, just as Eliza and Hamilton’s love story has a tragic ending, Solavellan does too.
That euphoric helplessness Eliza feels when she first falls in love with Hamilton turns to actual helplessness as he has an affair, tells the whole world about it, indirectly gets their eldest son killed, and then loses his own life. That second arc in their story reminds me so much of how Solavellan ends. “Burn” will forever be one of my favorite Lavellan songs for Trespasser, as she bitterly describes how Hamilton’s ideals and legacy mattered more to him than his family - just as Solas’s ideals and beliefs ultimately matter more to him than his love for Lavellan.
But.
But.
There is a beautiful, heartbreaking little song called “It’s Quiet Uptown” that gives me the tiniest bit of hope for Solas, and for Solavellan.
Eliza and Hamilton do reconcile before his death.
They do find a way through something as “unimaginable” as losing a child - through “moments when [they’re] in so deep / it feels easier to just swim down.” It takes Hamilton stepping up, acknowledging that everything he has done is wrong, that he still loves Eliza, and that he would be happy if he can just stay by her side. He owns up, and then he gives Eliza the choice to forgive him or not.
If we could have a moment like that - a moment where Solas finds his way back to Lavellan, where he acknowledges his faults and problems and asks for forgiveness, with no action on her part - if he truly wants to be redeemed, as Hamilton does in that moment - then I think we too could get that refrain of “forgiveness / can you imagine?”
I can’t think of a better ending. But it has to come from Solas, just as it has to come from Hamilton himself.
And, then, you know, he has to not give in to the other side of his nature and end up dead in a duel, as Hamilton does.
Anyway, thank you for coming to my TED talk about Hamilton and Dragon Age, I have 500000 more parallels in mind, and you can see most of them in The World Turned Upside Down, my Inquisition retelling paired with Hamilton songs, although I also have fun drawing parallels in my other fics. I have accepted my place in the deepest pits of Hamilton and Solavellan hell. I’ll be here forever and ever!
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dilyndoesit · 7 years
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Hamilton Songs: A Summary of Sorts
Yes it's been done. Yes I'm late. But??? I'm?? Doing it??? Act 1: Alexander Hamilton: Man have I got a story to tell you, bout this one bastard-orphan-son-ofa-whore (apple doesn't fall far lmao) ft: many people and lots of tea to be spilt Aaron Burr, Sir: Hi! Omg I totally idolize you, actually I'm quite the scholar mys- HOLY SHIT LAURENS U FUCKIN LAD My Shot: hey 💁🏽 it's me ☺️ and not 2 brag but I'm 😇like the best writer✍🏽and 😩an orphan, so I'm extra special ☺️💖😘😇😍👅😏 The Story of Tonight: Crackin open a cold one w the boys The Schuyler Sisters: Women??! Have valid opinions and rights?!? (Bonus: the one ((1)) song that has Peggy in it) Farmer Refuted: *clears throat* hey uhm maybe no revolution guys? I mean it could go really wr-FUCK YOU KIDDO FUCK THE KING LETS FUCKIN FIIIIIGHT You'll Be Back: I nvr meantt to lose y, ou,, I jsut wantsde to spend ur moneyee... Right Hand Man: hoLY SHIT GUYS ITS THE GENERAL OMG CAN I HELP I HAVE LIKE SOLID PLANS-oh hey alex what are u doin here-wait-nO DAMNIT Winter's Ball: lADIeS!! rIc H LadIEs!! Helpless: fuck. Satisfied: fuck (with more fervor) The Story of Tonight (reprise): hEy aLe X ur geTTin hEterO maRRieD lOl geyyyy Wait For It: I'm basically alone in this world, nothing I have was done for me or is completely mine, because I'm gonna take my time and not just douche my way through life??? Stay Alive: dear diary,, I'm cold and hungry and dad won't let me be leader and Charles Lee is a meanie but dad said no shooting him Ten Duel Commandments: Laurens, don't do this (but like, baby, pls, do this for me) *pew pew* Meet Me Inside: ooooOOOH YOU IN TROUBLEEEEEEEEE That Would Be Enough: hey, it's me ur pregnant wife, can u just stay home and love us? No? Okay 🙃 Guns and Ships: LAFAYETTE imtakinthishorsrbythereinsmakinredcoatsredderwithbloodstains History Has It's Eyes On You: my son, my boy, my child,, pls be careful, ole dad just wants to make sure ur okay Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down): lol bye Eliza I GET TO PLAY WAR AGAIN PEW PEW HON HON HON What Comes Next: oh cool. U moved on. Well whatever, idc anyways, I have my silk and money and ur probs gonna fuck up anyways Dear Theodosia: wow, I have a beautiful, beloved daughter, to love me and be loved, I will do my best to pro-LOOK AT MY SON BURR LOOK HES GOT KNEES AND EVERYTHING Non-Stop: AFTER THE WAR I BECAME A LAWYER AND A DAD AND WROTE 51 OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS AND LOWKEY STRUNG ANGELICA ON AND IGNORED MY WIFE AND SON AND BECAME SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY WHAT DID YOU DO BURR?! Act 2: What'd I Miss: Hey yaaaaaall, purple pimp daddy is back and ready to attack! Me-OW! 😏😘👅💦🍑 Ft: 🤧🤓✍🏾 Cabinet Battle #1: alexs shoe?? In my me?? It's more likely than you think Take A Break: Babe, lets go spend time together as a family, Angelica's coming all the way from England, your son is already 9 years old and everything. Oh, no? Okay, well fuck you too then. Say No To This: u wnt sum fuq The Room Where It Happens: *burr breathing heavily on glass window* fuck is that macaroni Schuyler Defeated: *aaron finally doing something for himself* yOU HAVE SOILED OUR FRIENDSHIP GARDEN BURR, SOILED IT Cabinet Battle #2: Statement of Neutrality? Never heard of her 💁🏽😶 Washington On Your Side: Alexander, you obviously have daddy issues *or a kink* and so does GWash and that's cheating One Last Time: cmere kiddo, let's play one more round of catch 😀😭🤧 I Know Him: *sipping tea* I give him 3 weeks The Adams Administration: Alex needs to chill™ We Know: we originally had matching leather jackets and our snaps choreographed but Madison sneezed on his so *clears throat* u got sum fuq? My god Hurricane: my life has been shit so lemme add another pile The Reynolds Pamphlet: aLeXanDEr HAMilTOn haD a TORid affaIR Burn: u realize that when u die, only I can save ur legacy? What a shame 🔥 if something 🔥🔥 were to happen 🔥🔥🔥 to the love letters 🔥🔥🔥🔥 💁🏻📜🔥🔥🔥 Blow Us All Away: can I get blown 😏👅💦 by u lovely ladies after I shoot this dude? One, two, three, four, five, six, seve-PEW PEW Stay Alive (reprise): fuck Eliza I thought they came bulletproof It's Quiet Uptown: Hark, is that?? Forgiveness?? Could you?? Imagine?? The Election of 1800: I haven't fucked over Burr in awhile so 😘😃 Your Obedient Servant: ✍🏾"Dear Alex, you've spent literally 30 years of fucking up my life path, can u say sorry?" ✍🏽"UHM!!!! NO!!!!??" "🙃🖕🏾" The World Was Wide Enough: NO ONE SAID THIS WAS NO TAKESIES BACKSIES (ft: Alex's tiring ass) Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story: he may have fucked up, but he was still a genius, the love of my life, and I will immortalized his name. Lol but the letters are still gone forever u fuck THE BONUS SONGS IVE LISTENED TO: Congratulations: BOI IM BOUTA 🔥🔥🔥 FLAME YA 🔥🔥🔥 SCHUYLER STYLE Cabinet Battle #3: hey slavery is wrong? When did that become a thing?? Valley Forge: someone fuckin end me, war is hard Laurens' Interlude: 🏳️‍🌈👻😭😭😭 Ten Things One Thing: man, there is no way Burr will kill me 😀 I mean 😀 sure I was a dick😀 but 😀 cmon 😀😀 it's Burr 😀😀
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angelic-rin · 7 years
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Dandelions: Phillip x Reader
A/n: This is kinda sad, fair warning. I have no idea if this is historically accurate, but if it’s not, too bad. I changed some stuff to fit the scene. Also there had better be only minimal mistakes because I don’t wanna proofread this, and it is looooong. Anyways, enjoy!
Though most people were certain that you couldn’t do it, you wanted to be the first woman to graduate from King’s College. It wouldn’t be easy, but you were a smart girl. Kind, caring, and incredibly determined to get what you want, those who knew you fully believed that you could do it. Especially the family you spent the most time with, the Hamiltons.
Alexander was always available to help you write or give you tips on speaking in front of a group, especially if you were going to be arguing. Eliza was like a second mother to you, and was always there to chat, offer up advice, or even just do something as simple as help you choose a dress. In addition to that, all the kids of the Hamilton household adored you, but you were closest to Phillip, the oldest.
When the two of you were younger, your parents would tease you both because even though Phillip was only 9 and you were only 8, it was clear how much Phillip liked you. He was always chasing you around, trying to give you dandelion bouquets and kisses on the cheek. You would scream and run away. Your parents would smile and shake their heads while the Hamiltons would joke about planning a wedding. 
But that was a long time ago. 10 years, in fact. The two of you were still incredibly close, but there wasn’t time for silly, make-believe romances any more. With Phillip about to graduate, and you trying to start college, there was too much to think about.
After knocking on the front door and chatting happily with Eliza for a few minutes, you walked into Phillip’s room without knocking first.
“Yes, come in, (y/n), no need to knock,” he said, cracking a smile.
“Philliiiiiip,” you sang. “Let’s run away from everyone and live on a corn farm! Then no one would ever discourage us from our passions!”
He laughed. “I hate to break this to you, but corn farming is not my passion. What gave you the idea?”
“Some stupid guy, thought he could get away with saying that women couldn’t go to college. He might have been a grown man, but he was acting like a child!”
“Wait, really?” Phillip was suddenly serious. “Who was it? I swear, (y/n), if I could find this guy, I would kick his ass for you, if you’ll forgive the language.”
“I don’t know who he was,” you replied. “But that’s sweet of you, Phillip. You wouldn’t have to, though. I already gave him a bloody nose.”
“You did?!”
You laughed. “Of course not! But I could have if I truly wanted to, don’t look so surprised!”
He put his arm around you, and you leaned on his shoulder. It wasn’t a romantic gesture; you were just this friendly with each other.
“But if you see the jerk,” Phillip said, “Point him out to me. I’ll put him in his place!”
“Don’t get yourself killed,” you teased. He grinned.
“I won’t, don’t worry.”
You sat up and he said, “Hey, we’ve got a Fourth of July speaker at the college today! We’re probably already late, but if you want, we can go listen to what he has to say. You in?”
“Of course, Phillip!” He offered you his hand, and you took it. Before the two of you left, he gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. 
“Bye, Ma,” he said. “We’ll be back later!”
“Of course, but before you go, may I speak to (y/n)?”
“Sure,” Phillip said. “I’ll be outside, take your time!”
After he left, Eliza smiled. Her eyes were sparkling. “Perhaps you aren’t aware of this, but Phillip truly does fancy you.”
“Wh-what? He does?” Your cheeks were pink at the thought. Certainly, he did like you when you were a child, but he was just your friend! Wasn’t he?
“He’s moved on from his childhood fantasies,” she continued, "and he’s beginning to see you as the beautiful young woman you’ve become.“ She paused. "I know, this is a bit out of the blue, but I wanted to tell you in advance in case he does something bold. He gets his confidence from his father….”
“Oh, I know,” you said, giggling. But then you stopped, briefly remembering what had happened. Alexander and Eliza didn’t get into horrible fights, and they didn’t try to avoid each other, but it was clear that their relationship was a rocky one. You had been there to see Eliza break down and cry after The Reynolds Pamphlet was published. It hurt your heart to see her like that.
“Forgive me for asking, dear, and you don’t have to answer if you don’t wish to, but… do you fancy Phillip?”
You blushed. “Of course I do, Mrs. Hamilton. He’s my closest friend, and I’ve fancied him for a long time.”
“Oh!” Her eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful! One Hamilton relationship burned to the ground, but perhaps another one can come through!
You laughed awkwardly, and then said, "I suppose I had ought to go, Mrs. Hamilton. Phillip is waiting for me.”
“Yes, of course,” Eliza said. “Keep him out of trouble for me!”
Phillip was standing outside the house with his hands behind his back. “There you are! What did Ma want?”
“Oh, just, you know. Lady stuff.”
“Oh.” He held something out to you. “Hey, remember?”
It was a dandelion. You smiled at the memory of when he’d try to give you them, and then tuck them in your hair. “How could I ever forget?” You took it and tucked it behind your ear.
You walked quietly for a few minutes, and then Phillip said, completely suddenly, “I like you a lot, (y/n). I have for a long time, and I was wondering if you…”
“….if I felt the same about you?”
He nodded, embarrassed. 
“I do, actually. I like you very much…”
He looked like he had just been given the world. “You do! That’s really wonderful!” His hand found is way to yours, and your fingers intertwined.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have more to offer than a dandelion…”
“Oh, Phillip,” you sighed happily. “I love the dandelions. They-” But you stopped. The man speaking was someone you recognized. It was the man from earlier, who had said that women couldn’t make it through school!
“Phillip, that’s him,” you whispered. “The man I told you about.” His hand got tighter around hers, and she put her free hand on his shoulder. "Don’t. I know you want to stand up for me, but I don’t want you to start any trouble.“
"I won’t,” he said with his teeth clenched. “But if he thinks for a second that my (y/n) can’t make it, He’s got another thing coming.”
“It’s going to be fine,” you insisted, but you could only focus on the fact that he called you ‘his.’
“Wait a second…. That’s my FATHER He’s talking about!!”
And sure enough, when you listened, you heard him talk about Alexander Hamilton, and The Reynolds Pamphlet. These were not kind words being said. You started to get angry too, but held Phillip back before he could do anything to hurt the man.
“Let’s cool down at home,” you suggested. He nodded, but then turned around. “Wait, I gotta get the name of that guy. Ladies!” He stopped two young women. “Who was that guy, talking about my father?”
“That was Mr. George Eacker,” one of them said. “He’s going to see a play when he gets done here.”
“Actually, I think he’s just finishing up,” the other one added. “The theater is only a couple of blocks away, if you’re looking to go there." 
"Thanks ladies,” he said, flashing them a grin. Then he put his arm around you, led you away, and called back, “Hope you weren’t looking! I’m a taken man!”
“Phillip, was that necessary?”
“Yes! They were definitely looking at me. The ladies just love me. Also I’ve got a ton of energy and rage. So Let’s get to that theater before I rip someone’s heart out.”
“I think you’ve already got mine,” you murmured.
*****About an hour later
“A duel? Are you sure about this? You could get hurt. Or even killed!”
“Relax, (y/n), I’ll be okay. My pop will know what to do. And Ma is out right now, so it’s a good time to talk to him.”
You sighed loudly to show that you didn’t approve, but he took your hand and pulled you into Mr. Hamilton’s office.
“Pops! I need advice!” He said.
Alexander turned around tiredly. “Sure son, what is it?”
“This guy, George? He was saying some real shit about you! I doubt you would have let it slide.”
“Phillip definitely wouldn’t, sir,” you added.
“What do I do, Pops?” Phillip asked frantically. It’s not like the subject was covered in boarding school, after all.
“Listen, you two,” Alexander said. “Here’s what you’re going to do. Take your pistol, and when the time comes to shoot, aim for the sky. That’ll put an end to the whole affair.”
“But what if-”
“He won’t shoot,” Alexander said. “Not of he’s a man of honor. This is your best shot. I’ll want (y/n) there to make sure you know what to do.” He glanced at you. “As long as you don’t mind, of course?”
“I don’t mind,” you said. “Someone’s gotta look out for him, or else who knows what he would do?”
Alexander laughed. “That’s true. Just remember, my son….” He pulled Phillip into a hug. “Whatever you do, I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, pops…..” He emerged from the hug with his father’s pistol in hand. “I’ll see you after?”
“See you after.”
You and Phillip walked together to the dueling grounds. One of his hands held the gun, and the other held your hand.
“My name is Phillip. I am a poet,” he mumbled. You smiled.
“I remember when you wrote that. It was your ninth birthday, wasn’t it?”
He grinned, but he looked nervous. “Yeah. I got into the habit of saying it when I’m a little nervous, or…”
And You stopped him with a kiss. It didn’t last long, but it seemed to fill him with a new energy.
“Gosh, I’ve wanted that forever,” he said.
“Yes, yes, me too,” you said. “Now go, I can see Eacker waiting. I’ll be nearby, I promise.”
He gave a little wave and walked over to where George was standing. You fingered the dandelion in your hair, feeling very proud of Phillip. He was so smart, he’d graduated from King'sCollege, he was protecting his father’s legacy. All those years, he had been a good friend. You loved him so much, and decided that when he finished, you would tell him.
That’s when things completely collapsed.
You were so deep into your thoughts of Phillip, your Phillip, the boy you loved, that you didn’t notice that the counting had begun. You didn’t notice that though Phillip aimed for the sky, George aimed for his chest.
You didn’t notice that George was pulling the trigger on '7’ until the bullet was already fired.
But the second you heard the gunshot, things seemed to slow down. Time went at the speed of molasses. Somehow, you weren’t able to react. All you could do was scream.
“Shit, I gotta leave,” George muttered, turning on his heal and vacating the scene.
“NO! GET BACK HERE! YOU SHOT HIM!” But your cries did nothing. He was gone.
Phillip. You ran to him, and the doctor was already getting him to a safer place.
“Where was he shot?!” You cried. “Is he going to live?!”
The doctor sighed. “I’ll do what I can, miss, I’m moving as quickly as possible. But He’s flooding a lot of blood-”
“Just go!!”
If the doctor was surprised to be yelled at by a woman, he said nothing. Finally, Phillip was lying down with pressure applied to his gunshot wound.
You leaned over him, with tears in your eyes. “Phillip… what happened?”
He chuckled weakly. “I think I was shot.”
You managed to laugh between your tears. “I see. Don’t worry, your parents will be here, I’m sure, and I’m here, I’m here…”
“Hey… (y/n)? I’m so sorry we didn’t get to spend more time together. It’s terrible. I really love you, ya know?”
“I love you too, Phillip, more than anything! Don’t talk like that, we will be together, you’ll get better!” You pulled the dandelion out of your hair and placed it in his hand. “Just hold onto this, okay? You’ll get better, I just know it, please stay alive…..”
You heard Alexander’s cried from the next room. “Where is my son?!”
“I have to go, Phillip, but your dad is here, soon your mum will be too.” You kissed him, longer than you did before the duel, and walked away quickly. You didn’t want him to see you crying.
“He’ll get better,” you whispered. “He’s going to be okay.”
But only a few minutes later, you heard Eliza’s screams, and knew, with a horrible, heavy feeling, that you were wrong.
You ran to the Hamiltons as fast as you could, but nothing you did could have fixed it.
Phillip was dead.
The Hamiltons held each other and you, and it felt like the tears the three of you shed could have filled up an ocean.
***A few months later***
You were walking through the cemetery, holding something in your hands. Anyone who saw you gave you a funny look, since you were talking to yourself, but if they knew what was happening, they would have had pity.
“…and I’ve made it,” you said. “I made it to college, I’m doing well. George Eacker was wrong, and I’m proving that, and I think you’d be proud of me.”
You stopped at his gravestone. A tear fell from your cheek, and you placed what was in your hands on the grass beside his grave.
A bouquet of dandelions.
“I love you, Phillip. I always will, even if you’re not here. I’ll see you again someday, I promise.”
You kissed your fingers, touched the stone, and walked away slowly.
Everyday, you missed him. But you went to classes as often as you could. You wanted him to be proud of you.
Something in the way the dandelion swayed in the breeze as you walked by told you that he was smiling at you from the other side.
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willamilton · 7 years
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Pardon the Playwright Persecute the Politician
Lin Manuel-Miranda’s presentation of Alexander Hamilton, characterizes the young politician as steadfast, verbose and brilliant. While Hamilton is not presented without fault, he is presented in an admirable light that inflates his character for the sake of entertainment value. For example, even though Hamilton’s affair is blatantly exposed in the show, the song The Reynolds Pamphlet does little to incite distaste for the character. The line that gets repeated over and over “Hey! At least he was honest with our money!” by Maddison and Jefferson and then repeated by Hamilton paints him as an honorable man in the face of dishonor. Hamilton is a man susceptible to the wiles of damsels in distress. He tries to be virtuous but fails. With Eliza’s forgiveness, he is redeemed in the audience’s eyes and free to resume the heroic status as a man with insatiable desire to establish a country that benefits industrious underdogs like himself. The affair is included more as a humanizing drama that ultimately does little to tarnish his reputation.
  While another way to present the affair could be that Hamilton preyed on the plight of Maria Reynolds. After her abusive husband leaves her destitute she seeks out the financial aid of Alexander Hamilton who requests to deliver the money to her home. Given the limited options for income of women in the 1700s it is not unreasonable to assume she may have engaged in an affair with Hamilton out of desperation and manipulation from Alexander Hamilton. (Foster) Of course, such a presentation of the affair vilifies Hamilton too much. In the scope of the play, it would be hard to forgive him and continue the story with compelling dramatic value.
  As elaborated upon by Thomas Foster in his book Sex and the Founding Fathers Miranda is not alone in the urge to draw upon the vein of founder’s chic. Brushing contradictions of ideals under the rug by lauding the Founding Fathers as untouchable beacons of morality and benevolence, and explaining their morally questionable acts only as symptoms of their society. “Modern Americans surprised to learn of Hamilton’s affair may be reacting to national rhetoric that memorializes the Founding Father’s as men of unusual virtue and morality—paragons in public and private affairs… Conservative commentators also stroke this idealized image by calling on Americans to remember and return to the morality of the Founding generation.” (Foster) Lin Manuel-Miranda doesn’t present an unflawed group of men, but he gives Alexander Hamilton more credit than he is owed and inadvertently spins a tale of traditional justification of American idealism. Perhaps one reason the Rockefeller foundation sent 20,000 public school students to see the play Hamilton was to reinstate the conservative age-old convenient American fiction of meritocracy and a “natural” dispersion of wealth.
    Still, Lin Manuel-Miranda is not exclusively responsible for telling American history. He views the play as vehicle of inspiration towards a deeper more inclusive understanding “That’s where my job ends and your job begins because I think a lot of kids are going to get excited about Hamilton’s personal narrative and they’re going to research on their own to find out about those narratives that aren’t represented in the play.” (Miranda) He sees his relationship towards the era as one that incites the empathy of an audience, and to that end he succeeded beautifully. It is our personal duty to fill in the cracks. The question stands though, did Miranda present too lovable a narrative of Alexander Hamilton such that investigations of his short comings will be immediately dismissed?
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