‘Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story’ from ‘Hamilton’
Superobjective: Get myself to release my regrets of not finishing my duty and purpose as
president and passing it on to Hamilton instead
Urgency: Get this before I face Hamilton again feeling so much regrets
Moment Before: I just heard from the afterlife that Hamilton had died from a duel with Burr,
everyone scattered along and me included to see what is happening in the living
Life or Death: If I don’t get my superobjective, I will never be satisfied with my life and will
always be dead remembering of all my regrets
Conflict: The risk of no one continuing my purpose or duty because Hamilton had just died
SET UP
(Beat #1)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Hamilton’s ghost)[INTEND TO/MY
INTENTION](I want Hamilton to remember what I said to him back then)[ACTION VERB]
(I’m recalling)[SENSORY](I see Hamilton’s limp body, I smell the drying blood, I hear the
tree breezes)[REACTION](Hamilton disappears to thin air)
WASHINGTON:
“Let me tell you what I wish I'd known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story”
[WHERE](BEGIN I walk to where Hamilton’s body is END BEGIN I walk away and walked to
where his ghost was END)
(Beat #2)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Burr)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want
Burr to realise Jefferson respects Hamilton)[ACTION VERB] (I’m
disregarding)[SENSORY](I see Burr’s furrowed eyebrows and pinched face, I hear him
anxiously talk to himself)[REACTION](Burr looks frustrated but he’s not backing down)
BURR: “President Jefferson?”
WASHINGTON:
“He’d give him this, his financial system is a work of genius
Jefferson couldn’t undo it if he tried
And he tried”
[WHERE](BEGIN I walk towards the right edge of Burr’s study END BEGIN I look to Burr’s
direction END)
(Beat #3)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Burr)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want
Burr to remember how much Hamilton’s done for the country)[ACTION VERB] (I’m
triggering Burr’s memory of Madison)[SENSORY](I see the scattered books, some of them
being books about me, and presidents in general, I see Burr walking around
quickly)[REACTION](Burr looks even more stressed and guilted)
COMPANY:
“Who lives, who dies, who tells your story”
BURR: “President Madison”
WASHINGTON:
“He took our country from bankruptcy to prosperity
Madison hates to admit it
But he doesn’t get enough credit for all the credit he gave us”
COMPANY: “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look away from BurrI walk to the left edge of Burr’s study END BEGIN I look
to where Burr is again END)
(Beat #4)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want myself to stop worrying about my
legacy)[ACTION VERB] (I’m disburdening)[SENSORY](I see the crowd of people clumped
together, I hear them murmur and some weeping sadly)[REACTION](I instead am worrying
even more about what I fought for not being continued by anyone)
ANGELICA:
“Every other founding fathers' story gets told
Every other founding father gets to grow old”
BURR:
“And when you're gone, who remembers your name?
Who keeps your flame?”
COMPANY:
“Who tells your story?
Who tells your story?
Who tells your story?”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to where Angelica is END BEGIN I walk to where Angelica was standing
END BEGIN I look to the crowd of people in the funeral END)
INCITING INCIDENT
(Beat #5)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Eliza)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want
Eliza to know I’m surprised she’s living on)[ACTION VERB] (I’m
questioning)[SENSORY](I see Eliza walking in Hamilton’s study, I see her lamp in her hand,
I hear her say things)[REACTION](She continues to talk to herself)
ELIZA:
“I put myself back in the narrative
(COMPANY: “Eliza”)
I stop wasting time on tears
I live another 50 years”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to where Eliza is walking END)
INCITING INCIDENT
(Beat #6)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Eliza)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want
Eliza to stay strong)[ACTION VERB] (I’m encouraging)[SENSORY](I see her shoulders
tense up)[REACTION](Eliza looks unsure and hesitant)
ELIZA:
“It's not enough (COMPANY: “Eliza”)”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to her back END)
(Beat #7)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Eliza)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want
Eliza to know I’m shocked of what she’s done so far)[ACTION VERB] (I’m
probing)[SENSORY](I see the pictures and Hamilton’s old military uniform, I imagine the
last memory of me and Hamilton)[REACTION](She looks at the writings and the pictures,
still not looking content)
ELIZA:
“I interview every soldier who fought by your side
(SOLDIERS: “She tells our story”)
I try to make sense of your thousands of pages of writings
You really do write like you're running out of time”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to the pictures and Hamilton’s old military uniform Eliza puts her hand on
END BEGIN I look away to where Hamilton’s pile of writings are in his office END)
(Beat #8)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want Eliza to know I’m relieved she continued
Hamilton’s story)[ACTION VERB] (I’m blessing)[SENSORY](I see them hold each other,
remembering a time where my siblings and I were still living together)[REACTION](She
looks sadder but also appreciative)
ELIZA:
“I rely on Angelica
While she's alive, we tell your story
She is buried in Trinity Church near you
When I needed her most, she was right on time”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to her walking to Angelica, I look at them holding each other END)
RISING ACTION
(Beat #9)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want Eliza and myself to settle down)[ACTION
VERB] (I’m reassuring)[SENSORY](I see the clear sky, I hear the bird
chirps)[REACTION](She looks like she wants more)
ELIZA:
“And I'm still not through
I ask myself, what would you do if you had more time
The Lord, in his kindness
He gives me what you always wanted
He gives me more time”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to Eliza END BEGIN I look up to the sky, where God is END)
(Beat #10)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Eliza)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want
Eliza to know how grateful and how much gratitude I have for her)[ACTION VERB](I’m
thanking)[SENSORY](I see the big monument, gold and clean, I imagine remembering one
memory where I was frustrated sitting in a desk not sleeping for so long)[REACTION](She
says it like it’s nothing too big)
ELIZA:
“I raise funds in D.C. for the Washington Monument
(WASHINGTON: “She tells my story”)
I speak out against slavery
You could have done so much more if you only had time”
[WHERE](BEGIN I walk forward, looking at the monument END BEGIN I look to Eliza END
BEGIN I look away to look at the ground END)
CLIMAX
(Beat #11)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Eliza)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want
Eliza to know she’s done more than enough)[ACTION VERB](I’m easing)[SENSORY](I see
the children walking around, I hear their squeaky voices shout and giggle)[REACTION](She
still looks like seeking more)
ELIZA:
“And when my time is up, have I done enough?
Will they tell your story?
Oh, can I show you what I'm proudest of?
(COMPANY: “The orphanage”)”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look up from the ground END BEGIN I look around the orphanage END
BEGIN I walk to the left where the American flag is END)
(Beat #12)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Eliza)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want
Eliza to know how she’s done so much to fight for Hamilton’s purpose and in behalf of
Hamilton, continued my legacy)[ACTION VERB](I’m praising)[SENSORY](I see one child
walk past my body, I feel the wisp of heat, I imagine remembering when I wanted children so
much, and how I fought for the generation to have a good future, I see Eliza’s back and see
her teary eyes)[REACTION](She looks and sounds nostalgic talking about children)
ELIZA;
“I established the first private orphanage in New York City
(COMPANY: “The orphanage”)
I help to raise hundreds of children
I get to see them growing up
(COMPANY: “The orphanage”)
In their eyes I see you, Alexander
I see you every time”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look down to the children END BEGIN I have my body bend forward END
BEGIN I look to the child walking past me END BEGIN I look back to where Eliza is END)
FALLING ACTION
RESOLUTION
(Beat #13)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I want Eliza to know Hamilton would be
proud)[ACTION VERB](I’m comforting)[SENSORY](I see her be more desperate, I see her
body coil, I see the chair she goes to sit to bends down a bit from the
weight)[REACTION](She looks more content with her life and more relieved of her stress
now)
ELIZA;
“And when my time is up
Have I done enough?
Will they tell your story?
Oh, I can't wait to see you again
It's only a matter of time”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to where Eliza’s standing END BEGIN I look to Eliza sitting on a chair
near a desk END)
(Beat #14)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to Hamilton)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I
want Hamilton to know I’m proud)[ACTION VERB](I’m commending)[SENSORY](I see
Hamilton’s ghost, his outfit still the same from when he passed, I hear a pin drop from the
silence)[REACTION](He looks at me with a shine of gratitude in his eyes)
COMPANY:
“Will they tell your story? (Time)
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story? (Time)”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to where Eliza’s sitting END BEGIN I walk towards Eliza’s position END
BEGIN I stop walking right before the chair END BEGIN I look up to where Eliza’s looking at
BEGIN I look at Hamilton END BEGIN I nod my head END)
(Beat #15)[SPEAKING TO](I’m speaking to myself)[INTEND TO/MY INTENTION](I
want myself to be content and be grateful for how my life turned out)[ACTION VERB](I’m
relieving my burdens)[SENSORY](I see the sky above, I imagine seeing God looking content
with how everything ended up)[REACTION](The weight in my heart starts to lift and I no
longer feel the burden of my past anymore)
COMPANY:
“Will they tell your story? (Time)
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?”
[WHERE](BEGIN I look to the sky above Hamilton END)