The Revolutionary Rhetoric of Hamilton

This scholarly exploration of Hamilton encourages audiences to interpret this popular culture force in a new way by revealing that the musical confronts conventional perceptions of American history, racial equity, and political power. Contributors explore the ways in which the musical offers social commentary on issues such as immigration and gender equity, as well as how Hamilton re-considers the roles of theatre in making social statements, especially relating to the narrator, the curtain speech, and musical traditions. Several chapters directly address recent controversies and conversations surrounding Hamilton, including the #CancelHamilton trend on social media, the musical’s depiction of slavery, and its intersections with the Black Lives Matter movement. Employing multiple novel theoretical approaches and perspectives-including public memory, feminist rhetorical criticism, disability studies, and sound studies- The Revolutionary Rhetoric of Hamilton reveals new insights about this beloved show for scholars of theatre studies, media studies, communication studies, and fans alike.

Luke Winslow is assistant professor of rhetorical studies in the Department of Communication at Baylor University. Nancy J. Legge is professor in the Department of Communication, Media, and Persuasion at Idaho State University. Jacob Justice is assistant professor of speech communication and the director of forensics in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric at the University of Mississippi.