![]() ![]() Even Hamilton would have to admit he is ambitious because he is obsessed with the legacy he will leave behind. He repeatedly remarks on how Hamilton dresses as though it is above his station. Jefferson, likewise, finds Hamilton’s demeanor to be irritating. Burr prefers to “wait for it,” but Hamilton jumps right in, much to Burr’s chagrin. Aaron Burr sings entire songs about how Hamilton just goes for what he wants and takes it. Everyone who opposes him or dislikes him finds him to be too ambitious. Hamilton is not such an extreme example, but he is definitely ambitious to a fault. Ambition is what leads MacBeth to his own end. ![]() After securing the throne, he is determined to defy the fates by killing Banquo, his son, and anyone else that would oppose him. It is ambition that drives him to kill the King and it is ambition that keeps him killing. At the encouragement of his wife, he pursues this fortune rather than just letting it happen. There can be no doubt that Hamilton and MacBeth are both extremely ambitious, in some cases to a fault. ![]() He’s in a dark spot, as evidenced by his horrible decision to cheat on his wife in the next song. Bottom line, Hamilton isn’t feeling too great about himself or his situation. He is stuck in an impossible situation watching the days creep by him with no real solution in sight. The tomorrow lines still fit though, because Hamilton sees no real way out at the moment. Angelica expresses this notion just a few lines later. This leaves Hamilton with no choice but to “fight the course” and get his plan through Congress. No one else has a financial plan, so there is no place to start negotiating. I think it is worth looking at what both of these quotes tell us about Hamilton’s current situation. I cannot fly./But bear like, I must fight the course.” However, the head of a Shakespeare festival told him that was far too obscure of a quote, so he went with the more recognizable option. According to his book, Hamilton: An American Revolution, he wanted to say “They have tied me to a stake. Interestingly, this is not the quote Lin-Manuel Miranda originally wanted to go with. Things appear to be very bleak for MacBeth and this soliloquy conveys that. Amongst that chaos, he finds out that Lady MacBeth has died, presumably from suicide. He is holed up in his castle with only a few followers and the rightful Scottish King marching toward him with a huge and formidable army. At this point, MacBeth is facing utter destruction. This line is one of the most famous in MacBeth. So, let’s get into the knitty gritty of what’s being said. He must get his plan through Congress or lose his job as Treasury Secretary. Hamilton is writing to his sister-in-law, Angelica, to explain the situation. James Madison in particular is necessary to get the Congressional votes. ![]() The problem is that James Madison and Thomas Jefferson are opposed to the plan. He has a financial plan that he must get through Congress. Alexander Hamilton is facing a potentially career-ending challenge. For those who are unfamiliar with the plot of Hamilton, I will provide the context for these lines. Now, because I simply can’t help myself, I started thinking about what these lines mean in the context of Hamilton. I’m a polymath, a pain in the a** and a massive painĪnd Birnam Wood is Congress on its way to Dunsinane.” They think me MacBeth, ambition is my folly Scottish tragedy without me having to name the play. I trust you’ll understand the reference to another “My dearest, Angelica, tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrowĬreeps in this petty pace from day to day Of course, as a Shakespeare fanatic, my ears perked up at the MacBeth references in the song Take a Break. I knew the soundtrack already, but seeing the production made everything much more impactful. I, like much of the world, found myself enamored with Hamilton when the production was released on Disney+. This blog contains many Hamilton spoilers. ![]()
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