How Are The Women In The Hamilton Portrayed

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14 May 2018

How are the Women in Hamilton Portrayed?

Introduction

The Hamilton, which is a musically sung and rapped play about the life of the

Founding Father Alexander Hamilton has come to be a significant player within the context

of American History. It entails musicals, lyrics, and was inspired by the biography of the

founding father Alexander Hamilton. The musical entails a wide context or genre of

musicals such as hip-hop, rhythm and blues, pop music, and even soul music among others

and it aims at presenting the historical accounts in an effective and efficient manner. The

first debut of the musical was seen in the public theater when it showcased in February

2015 and ever since, it has gained prominence over the years. It has become a significant

aspect of film and historical accounts and as such, becoming a very much talked about

aspect. The presentation of the play, which entails a wide variety of characters presents the

historical accounts of the country and does so in an effective and efficient manner. The

play comprises two acts that are both portrayed by men and women who play their roles in

an effective and efficient manner. For instance, the women within the play who include

people that play characters such as Elizabeth Schuyler, Angelica Schuyler, Peggy Schuyler,

and Maria Reynolds are portrayed in an effective and hardworking manner. They provide

the lifeline of the musical in what may be considered as an efficient manner as to how they

were back in the day and in so doing, the historical accounts are presented in an efficient

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and effective manner. The play represents the role of women in the society and seeing the

positions that these significant women play, the role is presented in what may be considered

an effective approach. The historical context is aligned to the manner in which the musical

is presented in addition to other aspects such as the historical accuracy in terms of the

chronological occurrence and also the addressing of diversity. Women play an important

role in this musical with regards to a number of aspects.

Background

Hamilton, the musical play is a play that was created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It

covers his life and as we can see within the play, there is a lot that went on that we as the

audience ought to understand. Alexander was a workaholic and had certain traits that may

have qualified him as one of the founding fathers of the country. In this case, the important

aspect to focus on the importance of people such as his friends, coworkers, love interests

and also a family that helped him fulfill his actions more so the role that women play

towards driving Alexander towards the actions that he did. Just like how in any given move

there are supporting casts that guide the main characters towards the achievement of

whatever goal or plot they might be set to achieve (Hamilton). Therefore, the women in

the musical play this role in helping Alexander Hamilton fulfill his quest or role. For

instance, there is Eliza, whom Alexander loved. In addition, there could be seen to exist

some familial love between Alexander and Peggy while at the same time, Martha and

Geroge and also Aaron Burr and Theodosia. The fact that the love aspects were mostly

shown from the side of the women tells a lot about the history and the role that women

were asked to play the play.

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In addition, the play also indicated the position of women in the society and this

will be the focus of the paper. Women had an important role and this has always been the

way across history as they are present for guidance and support for most men. In an article

by Runcie, it indicated that the women in the musical are mostly used to present the main

role of the main character and also present the accounts of the historical happenings of the

play which are of great significance (Runcie). In general, the play tells a remarkable story

of the founding fathers of the United States in America, but more so, the role that women

play in this case is even much greater than they are given credit for.

The Hamilton musical has been considered to be a Broadway blockbuster that is

based on the life of the founding father and has inspired a theatrical phenomenon. It follows

the life of the founding father, Alexander Hamilton, and it retells his story in a musical and

from where the cast raps and sings the experiences that he went through. As such, the role

of the women in the play, which is mostly portrayed by the Schuyler Sisters can be argued

to be the presentation or generation of another part of the whole musical play that no one

has seen. The sisters can, for instance, be viewed to present the question of love as the

sisters are in love with Hamilton and Aaron in the play. Love is one aspect that is viewed

in the play and the other one is the position of women in the play. The first aspects that the

paper will assess or look at are the Schuyler sisters and their role in the musical.

Being set in the 18

century period, there is deemed to be some traditional aspects

that are looked at within the play. For instance, the mode of dressing that is presented or

seen in the acted version of the musical. Women used to wear dresses that presented them

as being honorable members of the society. They played an important role as they were

presented in a manner in which there was great significance to whatever they did or acted

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upon. As such, by looking at the society at a much deeper level, a much clear notion and a

picture of the whole context of the story. Despite it being about the founding fathers, the

women as well play an important role in this case and based on how they are presented,

they had even much significance that we chose to discern or present.

To begin with, the women, Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy,who were the daughters of

a Senator are viewed as the main representation of women in this case. they are respected

and loved as we can even see the character’s Hamilton, and Aaron falling in love with two

of these women (“Hamilton”). The three women had come with their father to town as a

result of the war and had been stying int eh city ever since. The happenings and manner in

which the women are presented in this case are seen in the musical where the three sisters

are viewed as being brilliant and ones of great minds. It is even seen in the play when the

songs The Schuyler Sisters and Satisfied are played. Burr can be seen even stating that

“Excuse me miss I know it’s not funny but your perfume smells like your daddy’s got

money. Why you slummin' in the city in your fancy heels you searchin' for an urchin who

can give you ideals?" (“London – Hamilton”). The line is from the song The Schuyler

Sisters and creates the perception that women in the society are highly respected.

Additionally, it can also be argued that they present the notion of the role that women play

in the society which in this case is the creation of class and society. The Schuyler sisters

were from a rich background, seeing that their father was a Senator and had a great

influence on the people.

The manner in which Angelica is presented is also another aspect that creates the

perception of women in the society. Unlike her sisters, Angelica is seen to be a rich girl

who has a liking for bad boys and also bad things. That is why the excerpt from the song

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indicated or presented her as “searchin’ for an urchin who can give her ideas” (“Hamilton:

An American Musical”). She also only hangs around the high-end part of Manhattan

seeking for fun and exoticism. The ideology that is presented by the play, in this case, can

be seen in the case where Burr even presents himself in a stereotypic manner in order to fit

in the scenario that is presented by Angelica. Within the song, where he states that she is

“slumming it,” it is evident that he was referring to her looking for individuals who could

have given her morals or ideals. This not just accept that she would look in the group of

students around the local area for "a psyche at work" as well as thoughts that she doesn't

as of now have herself; ones that she would ask from Burr a man who is permitted and

anticipated that would go to class college or generally as opposed to remaining home and

bringing up kids and so forth.

In addition, despite the loyalty life that Angelica is presented as having, we can also

see that she does not act on her feelings for Alexander in the song, I know my sister like I

know my own mind, knowing that her sister felt something for Alexander. Therefore, she

is also a defining character in the play and puts family ahead of anything else (Hamilton).

The other woman, in this case, is Elizabeth Schuyler who is married to Alexander

Hamilton. Her presentation as a wife in the society can be considered to be an important

aspect of women in the society. For instance, women are meant to act as the helping hand

in the society which in this case is an important aspect. As human beings, we are required

to act and also look for a support system that will make it certain for us to work things in

an effective and efficient manner. To Alexander, Elizabeth was this support system as she

is there for her and as such, this is an important aspect. Alexander, from the narration and

the songs in the Hamilton, was a hardworking man who focused on making sure that he

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does right. For instance, being born in a Caribbean island of Nevis he works his way up,

from writing about a hurricane that struck the island of Christiansted to becoming one of

the most important people in the society. He is a co-founder of the first bank in North

America and after marrying Elizabeth Schuyler and even had a son.

Elizabeth acts as a good wife based on what we can see in the film and this is even

seen to make Alexander, who was a commissioner to resign his post and return to New

York to join his wife and son. They ended up having eight children together and as such,

Elizabeth presents a whole different perspective of women in the musical. First and

foremost, the dedication that Elizabeth indicated or shows to her family is significant in

this case as it helps create the idea of how much important the notion of family is. She is

responsible and the fact that she had a family is a represnetiaon of how much determined

and focused she is on the whole family thing. Therefore, the presentation of Elizabeth can

be seen to be of great importance in this case and see that we are first introduced to her

when she and her sisters Peggy and Angelica walk the streets of New York, being

introduced to women who are enthusiastic and have this zest for life (Runcie).

In addition, another important aspect to note about Elizabeth’s life is that she is

vivacious and full of life. However, her zeal and also capability to withstand the losses that

come her way indicate or signify a strong woman behind the character. She raises eight

children as her husband is fighting in the war and also goes through her husband dying

(Runcie). In general, Elizabeth is represented as being a resilient and also a compassionate

character. She sees the death of her son and also continues to live on for 50 more years and

even establishing an orphanage in New York to continue the legacy of her husband

(“Hamilton”). As such, the role in the play is seen to be paramount and very important.

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The remaining women characters are Peggy and Maria. Peggy was one of the

Schuyler sisters and in her case, she can be argued to be an individual who acts as a

meditative aspect within the musical. Her view of the whole scenario, especially when her

sisters are signing about the tensions that are happening in the country, she reminds them

that it can only result in death and violence. She can also be seen to break the rules every

now on then and as such, it can be argued that she is rebellious in one way or another. She

also insinuates that women are equal to men when she joins her sisters to sing the song We

hold these truths to be self-evident (Runcie). The final women character is Maria Reynolds

and she is presented as a seductress who has an affair with Alexander Hamilton. She is a

multi-layered character and causes the rift between Alexander and Elizabeth. However,

despite her being presented as being a character that splits the two, we can also argue that

she plays an important role in helping view or observe the power that the men in the play

have over women from both the sexual perspective and the financial aspect. She

additionally, helps to bring about the rigidity in gender roles that could be seen in the

period.

In conclusion, the women in the play can be argued to be both productive and also

negating. Women such as Elizabeth; who focused on building her family, Angelica; who

indicated care for her family and more so her sisters and also Peggy; who even though

might be rebellious presents the picture of the importance of equality in the society based

on gender is an important aspect. On the other hand, Maria Reynolds presents women from

a different angle where she acts as a family breaker but still, helps in presenting important

aspects such as the hold that men have on women in the society. Generally, the women in

the musical play an important role as they help in presenting the society based on the

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manner in which we observe them. Therefore, women are viewed as an important aspect

of the society back then.

Works Cited

"Hamilton". Broadway.Com, 2018, https://www.broadway.com/shows/hamilton-

broadway/. Accessed 14 May 2018.

"Hamilton: An American Musical". Youtube, 2018,

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKhSqWRvBtjlivrs_xeT5aQ. Accessed 14

May 2018.

"London - Hamilton Official Site". Hamilton Official Site, 2018,

https://hamiltonmusical.com/new-york/. Accessed 14 May 2018.

Hamilton, The. "The True Story Behind Hip-Hop Musical Hamilton". Radio Times, 2018,

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-12-20/the-true-story-behind-hip-hop-

musical-hamilton/. Accessed 14 May 2018.

Runcie, Charlotte. "What Is Hamilton? A 12-Step Guide To Your New Musical

Obsession". The Telegraph, 2017, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-

see/what-is-hamilton-a-12-step-guide-to-your-new-musical-obsession/. Accessed 14

May 2018.

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