Disclaimer: this post contains spoilers about the Hamilton ending
Picture this: you’ve just sat through a hip-hop filled, two hours and 45 minute musical (with a 15 minute interval might I add), you’re anxiously waiting to see how it ends, and you’re met with a somewhat confusing, tear filled and simple gasp from Eliza, with no clear explanation on what Eliza’s Gasp signifies.
The truth is, Eliza’s gasp is ambiguous on purpose- it’s up to audience interpretation. So, we are going to explore the two most popular explanations from die hard fans, to set your Hamilton filled mind at ease.
Ending Explanation 1: Eliza’s gasp is her realising that her and Alexanders story has been told.
Just before the gasp, Eliza sings: “when my time is up, have I done enough? Will they tell my story?”, before Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created and wrote the show and played Alexander Hamilton, guides her to the front of the stage. This led fans to obtain a very popular interpretation, that the gasp signifies Eliza’s overwhelming emotion that she feels, as she is realising that Alexanders and Eliza’s story has in fact been told.
Additionally, this begs the question- when Miranda comes out, is he playing Alexander Hamilton and is he simply himself? Again, this is open to interpretation, however I believe he is simply himself. When Miranda plays Alexander in his old age, he wears glasses, goes off-stage, and comes back to guide Eliza to front of the stage, and Alexanders glasses are no where to be seen. Could this just be a coincidence? Yes, but it makes so much sense that its actually Miranda. Since he’s the one who wrote and created the show, he himself is guiding Eliza up to the front of the stage, to show Eliza that he told their story.
Ending Explanation 2: It signifies her passing away
On the other hand, another interpretation is that the moment signifies the act of her passing away- with a single gasp.
Or similarly, serval fans have pointed out that it could be Eliza entering the gates of heaven, with Lin-Manual Miranda by her side, and seeing Alexander again. As she walks to the front of the stage, she has a look of sheer acceptance and relief on her face, knowing that, again, their story has been told, and therefore, she can now rest with her husband. Although I believe the interpretation above makes the most sense to me, the idea that Eliza now feels she can rest and has done everything in her power to honour her late husband, is comforting to me.
Learn more:
Hamilton London official website: Home – London – Hamilton Official Site (hamiltonmusical.com)
Hamilton UK and Ireland tour official website: Home – UK and Ireland Tour – Hamilton Official Site (hamiltonmusical.com)
If you would like to see more theatre opinions, click here: Theatre Thoughts | Chorus Box | Engaging Insights on Musical Theatre
As always, have a lovely day! x
