Hamilton’s Journey
In trying to get more familiar with the hero’s journey, I thought I’d see if I could deconstruct Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Alexander Hamilton based on it.
![Hamilton’s Journey](/content/images/size/w2000/2022/10/07HAMILTON-slide-UX39-master1050-v4-1.jpg)
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/hamilton-header-2.jpeg)
In trying to get more familiar with the hero’s journey, I thought I’d see if I could deconstruct Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Alexander Hamilton based on it. I put this together based on both Dan Harmon’s story circle and Christopher Vogler’s framework, partly for a diversity of thought, but mostly because I don’t really know what I’m doing. I should point out that this assumes you’re very familiar with the Broadway production and soundtrack. Anyhoos…
Our Hero
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-our-hero-2.jpeg)
Wants Something
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-wants-something1-2.jpeg)
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-wants-something2-2.jpeg)
And is Called to Adventure
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-adventure-2.jpeg)
But Initially Refuses the Call
These lyrics, which actually occur in the next phase, refer to events not explicitly in the storyline.
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-refuses-call-2.jpeg)
The Hero Meets the Mentor
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-meets-mentor-2.jpeg)
And then Crosses the Threshold…
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-crosses-threshold1-2.jpeg)
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-crosses-threshold2-2.jpeg)
…into a new world (marriage)
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-new-world-2.jpeg)
…with allies
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-with-allies-2.jpeg)
… with enemies
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-with-enemies-2.jpeg)
… while facing trials and tribulations
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-facing-trails-2.jpeg)
The Hero and Allies Approach a Major Challenge
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-major-challenge-2.jpeg)
And Get What They Want
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-gets-it-2.jpeg)
And The Hero Gets What He Wants
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-gets-it2-2.jpeg)
But Pays the Price for It
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-pays-price1-2.jpeg)
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-pays-price2-2.jpeg)
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-pays-price3-2.jpeg)
And Returns (to family, to it being enough)
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-returns-family-2.jpeg)
Offering a Final Sacrifice
Vogler and Joseph Campbell refer to this stage as The Resurrection, but Vogler says this is the phase when the hero may perform a final sacrifice.
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-final-sacrifice-2.jpeg)
As a Changed Person
![](https://blog.montymitra.com/content/images/2022/10/ham-changed-person-2.jpeg)
No story is supposed to snap perfectly into those models and there were areas where I had a tough time figuring out what should go where. I think I’m surprised most by how little Jefferson showed up when putting this together although he plays a pivotal role at the end. Let me know if you agree/disagree/think this a huge a waste of time.