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Act 2: Schuyler Defeated
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Hamilton, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Collaboration, Disagreement, and Democracy
Stories vs. History
Ambition and Mortality
Immigration and Diversity of Influence
Honor
Summary
Analysis
Jefferson and Hamilton face off about whether the new United States should intervene in the French Revolution. Again, Washington moderates, and this time, he decides who wins.
Jefferson accuses Hamilton of betraying the French, who had helped the Americans so much in their own revolution. In response, Hamilton scoffs, “we signed a treaty with a king whose head is now in a basket / would you like to take it out and ask it?” Washington sides with Hamilton, arguing that the nation is not yet strong enough to involve itself abroad. Hamilton twists the knife: “if we try to fight in every revolution in the world […] where do we draw the line?”
Jefferson’s faithfulness to the French is a nice touch, given that the same actor played Lafayette in the first act. In one of the more contemporary call-outs in the piece, Hamilton’s opposition to fighting in “every revolution in the world” is a not-so-subtle critique of present day U.S. interventionism.
Themes
Before Hamilton can glory in his victory, however, Jefferson and Madison corner him and remind him that Washington will not be president forever. In the song’s final moment, Washington calls out to Hamilton, and Jefferson sneers that “daddy’s calling.”
Hamilton bristled before when Washington called him “son,” likely because of his painful memories of his own father’s abandonment. Now, Madison and Jefferson echo this taunt—and remind Hamilton that he only has a single ally (and one who is probably not going to be in politics for much longer).
Themes
