Hamilton Character Analysis

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton, the first-ever Secretary of the United States Treasury, is the musical’s protagonist; all other characters are defined in relation to them. Hamilton is Eliza’s husband and an object of romantic desire for… read analysis of Alexander Hamilton

Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr is Hamilton’s nemesis and ideological opposite. He is also, in a structural move that immediately raises the stakes, the musical’s narrator, introducing audiences to Hamilton through his own vengeful eyes. Whereas Hamilton… read analysis of Aaron Burr

Eliza

Eliza, the middle child of the wealthy Schuyler family, is Hamilton’s loyal, generous, adoring wife. After a whirlwind courtship (“Helpless”), however, Eliza often finds herself sidelined in her husband’s life; while he is off… read analysis of Eliza

Angelica

Angelica, the eldest and “wittiest” daughter of wealthy New Yorker Philip Schuyler, is considered by the creators of Hamilton to be the “smartest” character in the musical. Though her father tries to separate her from… read analysis of Angelica

George Washington

Both historically and in the musical, George Washington is the oldest, wisest figure in Hamilton’s group of young revolutionaries. As the Commander-in-Chief of the American army—and later as the country’s first president—Washington is keenly… read analysis of George Washington

Laurens

In Act 1, John Laurens is Hamilton’s best friend. As in history, the musical shows Laurens to be a committed anti-slavery advocate: he spends most of the war in North Carolina, helping to build… read analysis of Laurens

Philip

Played by the same actor as Laurens, Philip is Hamilton’s young son. who takes after his father in more ways than one: he is a skilled rapper and a brilliant wit, but he… read analysis of Philip

Lafayette

In the first act, the French Marquis de Lafayette is one of Hamilton’s closest friends. Building on his historical role as the primary emissary from France, the musical depicts Lafayette as an immigrant, an… read analysis of Lafayette

Jefferson

Played by the same actor as Lafayette, Jefferson is the drafter of the Declaration of Independence and the country’s third president. Jefferson, who preached freedom but held hundreds of slaves, is one of Hamilton’s… read analysis of Jefferson

Mulligan

Hercules Mulligan is a central part of Hamilton’s first act friend-group. Historically, Mulligan was an Irish tailor and a prominent spy in the American Revolution; in the musical, he is displayed as the brash… read analysis of Mulligan

Madison

Portrayed by the same actor as Mulligan, Madison is depicted as being wonky and uncharismatic, though he is able to get incredible amounts of work done via his collaboration with the more charismatic Thomas… read analysis of Madison

King George

King George III, who ruled over the British Empire during and after the time of the American Revolution, is rendered in Hamilton as a spoiled, petulant brat. Throughout the musical, King George makes several brief… read analysis of King George

Peggy

In the first act, Peggy appears as the youngest sister of Angelica and Eliza Schuyler. Peggy is less rebellious than her sisters, and she does not appear in Act 2 (in real life, Peggy… read analysis of Peggy

Maria Reynolds

In the second act, Maria Reynolds is a seductive young woman with an abusive husband. Maria seeks out Hamilton both for financial support and for a secretive affair (“Say No to This”); when the affair… read analysis of Maria Reynolds

Charles Lee

General Charles Lee was George Washington’s second-in-command. He was put in charge at the Battle of Monmouth (in New Jersey), but he dishonored himself by urging his troops to flee the scene instead of… read analysis of Charles Lee

Samuel Seabury

Samuel Seabury was a well-known Loyalist in New York City; both historically and in the show, he was one of Hamilton’s leading rivals in the early years of the war. In the musical, he… read analysis of Samuel Seabury

Hamilton Characters