This Hamilton enters an affair with Maria Reynolds. Here he is over-exerting himself to try and regain some of his confidence. He describes himself saying “I hadn’t slept in a week/I was weak, I was awake/You never seen a bastard orphan/More in need of a break.” His confidence shattered and it is here, at his lowest point that Maria Reynolds enters. As she explains her situation, and asks for Hamilton’s help, he sees his own vulnerability in hers. The idea that he can take some action to resolve someone’s problems, even if they aren’t his own attracts him. Hamilton’s description of Maria as “helpless” and her plea at the final refrain of the number when she says “Please don’t leave me with him helpless” emphasize this. At the same time, Hamilton realizes “I am helpless—how could I do this?” which signals many things. …show more content…
It signals that he can help her attracts him. Using the same motif as the song where Hamilton courts Eliza draws a parallel between that courtship and this one, illustrating the perverse nature of this tryst. Second, this callback to Eliza’s motif signals Hamilton’s epiphany about the gravity of what he’s done. By using his wife’s words, rather than worrying about his career or status, it reveals a piece of information the audience need. He still loves Eliza, this is the result of a man searching for some control in his own life, as he too feels helpless. Third, it heralds Hamilton’s realization of his own motives. He becomes self-aware enough to realize his transgression was a result of his own feelings of