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Lin-Manuel Miranda: "Hamilton"

 One of my favorite parts of "Hamilton" is the depiction of little Philip. Another writer might have made Philip into a plot device, but Lin-Manuel Miranda took some time to imagine the world of this character. This makes me think of the famous observation about the Statue of Liberty. No one will notice the "detail work" on the top of Lady Liberty's head--but it's nice to know, just to know, that it's there.


Little Philip studies French and piano. Like his father, he enjoys writing.

My name is Philip; I am a poet.
I wrote this poem just to show it.
And I just turned nine--
You can write rhymes,
But you can't write mine.

I practice French
And play piano with my mother.
I have a sister, but I want a little brother.
My daddy's trying to start America's bank.
Un deux trois quatre cinq!

We next see Philip exploring the universe of sex. Again, like his father, he is arrogant. Having met a group of admirers, Philip observes:

Hey, y'all look pretty good in your frocks.
How 'bout when I get back, we all strip down to our socks?

It's always stuck with me that Miranda is an acolyte of Howard Ashman's. Miranda cites moments when an Ashman character's word-choice helps to shed light on psychology. "Flipping your fins, you don't get too far...Legs are required for jumping, dancing, strolling along down the....what's that word again? Street!" Several "Hamilton" characters--Philip included--make me think of Ashman's "Gaston." 

Right from the moment when I met her, SAW her--
I said, SHE'S GORGEOUS--and I fell...
Here in town there's only she
Who's as beautiful as me...
So I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle.

Looking forward to seeing "Hamilton" on the big screen.
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