Heartwarming / Hamilton

As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.

• On meeting each other, Hamilton and Aaron Burr form an instant bond, if not in the way that Hamilton intended. Burr hears that Hamilton punched out the bursar for "looking at me like I was stupid," only repeats, "You punched the bursar" and buys him a drink. He then offers advice to, "Talk less, smile more." This contrasts with what Burr says to Mulligan, Lafayette and Laurens, which is a bit more Brutally Honest.
• Hamilton and Lafayette's friendship moment before the Battle of Yorktown, though their parting is a tad bittersweet considering Lafayette's actor plays the antagonistic Thomas Jefferson in the second act and, historically, this is the last time the two men see each other.
  Hamilton: What happens if we win?
  Lafayette: I go back to France! I bring freedom to my people if I'm given the chance!
  Hamilton: We'll be with you when you do.
  Lafayette: Go lead your men.
  Hamilton: See you on the other side!
  Lafayette: 'Til we meet again!
• Elizabeth reconciling with Alexander during "It's Quiet Uptown".
  • Combined with Tear Jerker:
    Angelica: They are standing in the garden, Alexander by Eliza's side. She takes his hand...
    Eliza: ...It's quiet uptown.
  • In the staged version, Lin-Manuel often played Hamilton as utterly shocked and then quietly breaking into tears when Eliza takes his hand.
  • So who was singing that whole time? It was Angelica. "I know my sister like i know my own mind" indeed.
• Every part of "Take A Break", but especially Philip performing his poem and Elizabeth joyously announcing her sister's arrival.
  "Alexander, come downstairs — Angelica's arriving today!"
  • Eliza does the beatbox for Philip's rap. Just in case it wasn't adorable enough already.
  • And Alexander acts as his hype man:
    "WHAT!? ... Uh-huh... Okay!"
• "Dear Theodosia", Hamilton and Burr declaring love to their children and vowing to be the best fathers they can be.
  You will come of age with our young nation
  We'll bleed and fight for you, we'll make it right for you
  If we lay a strong enough foundation
  We'll pass it on to you, we'll give the world to you
  • This part from Burr's first verse is enough to bring tears to your eyes.
    When you came into the world, you cried and it broke my heart
    I'm dedicating every day to you
    Domestic life was never quite my style
    When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart
    And I thought I was so smart
  • Both men singing, "My father wasn't around... I swear that I'll be around for you." The normally verbose Hamilton is so overcome with emotions that he reverts to the simplest rhymes and structures. O.O.C. Is Serious Business indeed.
• Hamilton's new-dad enthusiasm in "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)".
  Gonna start a new nation! Gonna meet my son!
  • Also, at the end of the song, everyone joyfully screaming, "WE WON!" It's a major Hell Yes moment for our heroes.
• Hamilton just sounding so happy he was chosen for the Constitutional Convention.
• "Best of Wives and Best of Women" is a very brief moment, but it's still sweet to see how much Alexander genuinely adores Eliza.
• As much as they may be enemies, even Jefferson is surprised when Adams stoops to racial slurs "Creole Bastard" against Hamilton
  Jefferson: Say what?
• In the finale, Eliza talking to a dead Alexander about everything she did after he passed away in his memory. "Oh, and can I show you what I'm proudest of?" The fact that she established the first private orphanage in New York City, and helped hundreds of children who were orphaned like Alexander.
  • "I can't wait to see you again. It's only a matter of time..."
• Angelica rushing all the way from London to comfort Eliza after Alexander publicly humiliated her in "The Reynolds Pamphlet". ^note  Ensemble: All the way from London? Damn! And her scathing rebuke of her brother-in-law for his infidelity.
  I love my sister more than anything in this life
  I will choose her happiness over mine, every time
• Washington stepping down as president because he believes it's what's best for America to grow as a nation. Hamilton is shocked and begs him to reconsider, but eventually comes to the same conclusion and the two craft Washington's Farewell Address together. Washington also says all he wants in return for his years of service is to return home and live out the rest of his life in peace.
  If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on
  It outlives me when I'm gone
  Like the scripture says
  Everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
  And no one shall make them afraid
  They'll be safe in the nation we've made
• The sheer happiness all the characters have in "The Schuyler Sisters" - so many exciting things are happening, so many new ideas are being discussed, and the whole cast cries joyfully "Look around, look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now!"
  • Peggy during the song is a One-Scene Wonder; although she has misgivings about breaking their dad's curfew and mentions they're not supposed to go downtown, she goes with her sisters. She also says her main fears about the war are that because "Daddy wants to go to war" he may get hurt, and "violence is coming to our shore." She's not only worried about disobeying her father, but also about his safety, and the safety of everyone in their city. All the Schuyler sisters have minds of their own, and Peggy is an Adorably Precocious Child Wise Beyond Their Years.
• Angelica's version of the events of the ball in "Satisfied" is tearjerking in places, but the fact that she knows Eliza so well to know when she's lying, and that she's willing to sacrifice her own happiness to keep Eliza happy is so sweet.
  • To elaborate: Angelica doesn’t just stand aside so Eliza can have Alexander, she introduces them. She ensures that they end up together because, even though Angelica can't have her happy ending with Alex, her little sister sure as Hell can.
  • Likewise, she says she does it because Eliza would do the same for her. Eliza would give up her happiness for her big sister, but Angelica can't let that happen as the older sibling. "First Burn" confirms that Eliza always knew how her husband was attracted to Angelica, but knew that her sister would never betray her.
• In "That Would Be Enough" Alexander (temporarily) returns from the warfront and reunites with Eliza. She confesses to asking Washington to send him home and tells him that she's pregnant with their first child. When Alexander expresses his insecurities about his lack of wealth and accomplishments, Eliza assures him that she will be always be happy as long as they're together.
  If this child shares a fraction of your smile,
  or a fragment of your mind,
  then look out, world — that would be enough.
  I don't pretend to know
  the challenges you're facing,
  the worlds you keep erasing and creating in your mind...
  But I'm not afraid.
  I know who I married.
  • Also what she says to Alexander before can be very reassuring not only to him, but to anyone who doubts their value and place in the world.
  Look at where you are,
  look at where you started.
  The fact that you're alive is a miracle,
  just stay alive,
  that would be enough.
• Burr congratulating Hamilton on his wedding, once again telling him to "smile more", this time meant in a much friendlier context than normal, and Hamilton expressing a desire to meet Burr's girlfriend, Theodosia. (Who would eventually go on to be his wife and mother of his daughter.)
  Hamilton: If you love this woman, go get her!
• Eliza describing her falling in love with Hamilton in "Helpless."
  Laughing at my sister as she's dazzling the room.
  Then you walked in, and my heart went boom.
  • Hamilton goes to Philip Schuyler Sr. to ask for his blessing so he can marry Eliza. While Eliza worries that her father will say no, Philip Sr. merely pats his future son-in-law's shoulder and says, "Be true" to his daughter. Then he goes to get champagne as the girls dance happily. When he caught Hamilton doing a silly Happy Dance by knocking his knees around, he waits for a moment with a befuddled expression for Alexander to compose himself, offers him a glass of champagne, and clinks, grinning. You can see why Hamilton treats Philip Sr. as his own father.
  • A brief moment, but when Alexander is talking to Eliza about his past and his lack of family or wealth, he mentions how every member of the family brings out something new in him, including, "Peggy confides in me." Awww.
• "Hurricane" is mostly just plain sad, but when Alexander describes the way complete strangers were moved by his writings and raised money for him to go to America...
• The very, very end. Eliza, after singing about how she worked to uphold Alexander's legacy, glances out to the audience, and gasps in astonishment. It's implied she can see them — as in, she can see all the people who just witnessed everything she and her husband did. The musical's version of Eliza, at least, knows her efforts weren't for nothing.
• The Friendship Song between Hamilton, Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan "The Story of Tonight". The first time, it's sung in a genuine brotherhood, duty, and loyalty manner from beginning to end. The second time, it's just as sweet but it's playful and fun at Hamilton's wedding. And then comes "The World Was Wide Enough". The last words we ever hear Hamilton say are "Raise a glass to freedom..."
  • Leslie Odom Jr. has gone on record saying that as soon as he saw this scene, he wanted in on the project.
• In the midst of "My Shot," Hamilton breaks off at the height of an impassioned rant to deliver this disclaimer to his new friends, with a suddenly anxious and earnest delivery that's especially touching coming after the Hot-Blooded boasting that characterizes much of the rest of the song:
  Oh, am I talking too loud?
  Sometimes I get over-excited, shoot off at the mouth
  I never had a group of friends before
  I promise that I'll make y'all proud!
  • And just as heartwarming is Laurens' reponse:
    Let's get this guy in front of a crowd!
• Very subtle one, but during the first Cabinet Battle, near the beginning of Alexander's verse, Thomas Jefferson starts clapping for him as if he's at least somewhat impressed by Hamilton's rapping.
• The Reynolds Pamphlet is a dark, gloating song about Hamilton's fall from grace, and his enemies even rub it in his son's face. Poor Phillip is devastated, but in the staged version, Burr seems visibly a tad less enthusiastic when Phillip comes along, and gives him a little pat on the shoulder, feeling sorry for him.
• When Hamilton finds Burr is campaigning to be President, Burr says why he's doing it.
  I’m chasing what I want
  And you know what?
  I learned that from you
• At the beginning of "The Election of 1800," Jefferson comments, "Poor Alexander Hamilton, he is missing in action," referencing the fact that Hamilton's son just died. It's easier to catch if you see it live, where this is accompanied by Jefferson sadly shaking his head, but the line isn't said in a mocking or gloating manner at all — Jefferson actually seems to feel genuinely sorry for Hamilton's loss.
  • The play doesn't mention it but if you look it up, you find out why Jefferson is so empathetic. By the time he gets to sing "What'd I miss?", six of Thomas Jefferson's children as well as his wife were dead. He knows full well what the "unimaginable" is like.
  • Madison walks onstage wiping his eyes, and has to visibly pull himself together for the first few lines.
    Jefferson: Can we get back to politics?
    Madison: (tearfully) Please...
• "But I'm not afraid. I know who I married." Both times.
• The fierce, triumphant pride that Burr's narration carries in the opening song, detailing Hamilton's rise from tragedy.
  Burr: There would have been nothin’ left to do
  For someone less astute
  He woulda been dead or destitute
  Without a cent of restitution
• In a way, Laurens challenging Charles Lee to a duel over his badmouthing Washington. Hotheaded and immature? Sure. But it goes to show how much Washington's men love him.
  • Also, consider, Washington has to expressly tell Hamilton not to do a thing- as in Hamilton was ready to march over to Lee and throw down the gauntlet even quicker than Laurens. In fact, the only reason it's Laurens in that duel and Hamilton is only the second is because Hamilton respects Washington enough not to directly go against his orders to defend Washington's honour.
  • Immediately after the duel, Washington proves himself the bigger man by not only calling for a doctor, but making it clear to Lee that he is not happy about what Hamilton and Laurens just did.
    Washington: Lee, you will never agree with me.
    But believe me, these young men don’t speak for me!
    Thank you for your service.
  • In some stagings, Laurens tries to follow Hamilton when Washington tells him to "meet him inside" so he can ream him out, implying he wants to defend Hamilton or take the fall for him. Hamilton refuses to let him, silently telling Laurens to stay back and avoid getting in worse trouble, accepting that he has to take the heat for this alone.
• When Madison lapses into a coughing fit during the first Cabinet Battle, Jefferson goes over to him and checks to make sure he's okay. Even the bad guys have friends.
• In a weird way, King George III slamming John Adams in comparison to George Washington, making it clear that he doubts anyone will be able to replace him. At the start of the song, he actually sounds a little sad that Washington's leaving the position. In real life, King George actually seemed to respect Washington for stepping away from the presidency, commenting, "If he does that, he'll be the greatest man in the world."
• Mulligan considers himself to be 'in loco parentis' (in place of a parent) for Hamilton and co. This was also true of the man in real life. He met Hamilton shortly after the latter arrived in New York, and offered to house him while he went to King's College. It was Mulligan who inspired Hamilton to become a revolutionary.
• It's very subtle, but in "Nonstop" when Hamilton knocks on Burr's door in the middle of the night, the latter calls him Alexander. It's a very familiar way to greet someone by the time period's standards.
  • Hamilton also openly tells Burr that he (Burr) is the better lawyer of the pair.

Deleted Scenes

• The workshop recording of "Schuyler Defeated" has Eliza (with Philip) learn the news of Burr's Senate victory and, knowing her husband who take it personally, rushes out to hopefully prevent any further disputes. Once she finally reaches Burr and her husband, she defuses the situation by asking about Theodosias, to which Burr references his wife's illness. Then she asks about his daughter, and he quite expectantly describes young Theodosia as a treasure and notes that Philip is about the same age at her. It doesn't lighten the tension between Hamilton and Burr, but you can tell Burr is quite fond of Eliza's compassion.
• When Burr finds out Philip intends to duel Eacker, he begs Hamilton to call the whole thing off. Burr and Hamilton might not see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, but he'll be damned if he's gonna let the son get himself killed in a duel.