Sorting “Hamilton” Characters into Hogwarts Houses

Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for a Sorting Ceremony? Over the last week, we’ve been sharing a series of selected songs from the musical that embody the spirit of the four Hogwarts Houses. Now, we’d like to celebrate that the smash-hit Broadway musical Hamilton is finally streaming on Disney+ by Sorting ten characters.

We’re not the first and certainly, won’t be the last to throw our sat down with the genius behind the show, Harry Potter fan, Lin Manuel Miranda, to Sort a few favorites from Hamilton. We agree with some, but not all, of their conclusions.

 

 
 

1. King George III

 

 

George appears in checkpoints throughout the play commenting on the young nation’s struggles. He’s obsessed with his power over his colonial empire, insisting that the people fighting back belong to him. By exhibiting very little humanity, he becomes the play’s Voldemort. He undeniably fits in Slytherin.

 

2. Hercules Mulligan

 

 

Mulligan is a tailor working undercover spying on the British government. He risks his life to smuggle valuable information gained from his ignorant clients. Though just about everyone in Act 1 is fighting in the war, to us it seems that Mulligan is one who exhibits some of the most tremendous courage. That is why we Sorted him into Gryffindor.

 

3. Thomas Jefferson

 

 

Jefferson is mentioned as the author of the Declaration of Independence before we meet him in Act 2. He goes toe-to-toe with Hamilton frequently; they have two cabinet rap battles, each a duel of wits. Jefferson proves himself to be clever, sharp-witted, and innovative, rethinking how the election loser becomes vice president. Therefore, Jefferson is a Ravenclaw.

 

4. Angelica Schuyler

 

 

Eliza’s sister Angelica is loyal and bold, but her intelligence stands out. She is well-read, familiar with revolutionary writers like Thomas Paine. When Angelica meets Alexander and notices that both she and her sister are interested in him, she carefully weighs her options, considering the ramifications of her choice for herself, her sister, Alexander, and her family. She even overanalyzes the subtext of punctuation in a letter. Thus, she is a Ravenclaw.

 

5. John Laurens

 

 

Laurens is another member of Alexander’s Act 1 crew; he is characterized as an abolitionist, an activist in favor of ending slavery. He shares his friends’ passion for the revolution, but he is also dedicated to abolition and sings about fighting for and alongside Black people. Since the House of the badger celebrates acceptance and fair treatment, his defining characteristic lands Laurens in Hufflepuff.

 

6. Marquis de Lafayette

 

 

Lafayette is a French military officer in the fight against the British. He demonstrates his passion for the revolutionary cause, never faltering in this dedication to fight for equality, justice, and liberation. While we were originally wanted to Sort him into Gryffindor, we ultimately landed on Hufflepuff; Lafayette stays loyal to the fight and continues to work for these causes in France.

 

7. George Washington

 

 

Washington serves as General of the Continental Army and first president of the United States. In both roles, he is a strong leader, full of fire and courage. As he leads his men, whether on the literal battlefield against the British or the figurative battlefield of the government, he exudes a level of cool authority we would compare to Albus Dumbledore, Kingsley Shacklebolt, or even Neville Longbottom in the Battle of Hogwarts. Washington belongs in Gryffindor.

 

8. Eliza Hamilton

 

 

Eliza is a strong character and as Emma says, full of courage and heart. She goes through so much trauma, including the tragic loss of her son. Still, her actions show that she is “true and unafraid of toil” (SS 118). We’re moved to tears when Eliza explains how she honors her late husband by studying and sharing his story, speaking out against slavery, and establishing New York City’s first private orphanage. With all this work, we must again diverge from Emma and Sort Eliza into Hufflepuff.

 

9. Aaron Burr

 

 

Burr, Alexander’s nemesis, is ruled by ambition. He sings Slytherin anthems like “Wait for It” and “The Room Where It Happens.” While he hungers for power, he takes calculated and cunning moves. These don’t always work out in his favor, but because that hunger drives his character arc, we agree with Emma and Lin, who placed him in Slytherin.

 

10. Alexander Hamilton

 

 

Alexander exhibits traits of all four Houses. His ambition is established early on. By writing “day and night,” he is hardworking. As Emma says, he fights bravely in the Revolutionary War. We could see him being a Hatstall, but we agree with Daniel Radcliffe: The Sorting Hat would ultimately choose Ravenclaw. Attached to everything Alexander does – from war to defending the Constitution to his actions in the Cabinet – is his eccentric, brilliant brainpower.

 

Be sure to check out Hamilton and comment on how you would Sort the characters.