Hamilton’s Comma in “My Dearest, Angelica” was Flirty, Emotionally Unfaithful

[Grammarhero]

For those that watched Hamilton, Hamilton writing “My dearest, Angelica” with a comma in a letter to his sister-in-law was flirty and emotionally unfaithful. The comma implies Angelica is the lone “dearest” to Hamilton. That is unfair to Hamilton’s wife.

 

[Brett]

For those that watched Hamilton, Hamilton writing “My dearest, Angelica” with a comma in a letter to his sister-in-law was flirty and emotionally unfaithful. The comma implies Angelica is the lone “dearest” to Hamilton. That is unfair to Hamilton’s wife.

OK
I admit I was not thinking comma placement when watching Hamilton on TV ....

 

[bbodb1]

Apparently, revising the English language is up next on the list for the history revisionists....

 

[Grammarhero]

Apparently, revising the English language is up next on the list for the history revisionists....

It’s not revising the English language, just highlighting what the comma meant. It’s archaic, 18th century English and grammar.

 

[bbodb1]

It’s not revising the English language, just highlighting what the comma meant. It’s archaic, 18th century English and grammar.

I do realize that @Grammarhero - I am just in my typical (snarky) Monday mood on Friday today....

This is Friday - isn't it?

 

[turkel]

Didn’t see it, won’t see it. DH said hell no after the booing incident.

 

[Brett]

It’s not revising the English language, just highlighting what the comma meant. It’s archaic, 18th century English and grammar.

when watching Hamilton (not reading) what caught my eye were the actors
Guess I'll have to read the book

 

[Grammarhero]

when watching Hamilton (not reading) what caught my eye were the actors
Guess I'll have to read the book

Angelica sang about the comma at the 2:19 mark.

 

[PamMo]

The close relationship between Hamilton and the Schuyler sisters has long been noted by historians. Making Angelica seem more than a beloved sister-in-law makes for good dramatic tension (and music) in the play. The letters between Hamilton and Angelica Church are in the National Archives. They are fascinating to read.

Founders Online: Search

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founders.archives.gov

 

[bnoble]

Making Angelica seem more than a beloved sister-in-law makes for good dramatic tension (and music) in the play.

I confess I thought it was a bit of a head fake, and a bit distracting from the overall story. But, Rewind was also a highlight of the show in terms of staging and choreography, so who am I to criticize?

 

[Eric B]

I haven't seen Hamilton yet, but I have seen countless inappropriately included and excluded commas in writing that has been through a technical editor this year. And I'm not speaking of the differences of opinion on whether or not the Oxford comma is appropriate....

 

[bbodb1]

Let's eat Grandma!

 

[bnoble]

not speaking of the differences of opinion on whether or not the Oxford comma is appropriate....

Yeah, that one is rough. I "grew up" adhering to Chicago Style, but worked for the past seven years as an administrator in the College, which is an AP Style shop. It galled me every time I had to leave it out. I recently left administration and returned to the faculty, and one of the nicer benefits of that is that I no longer have the Communications staff removing Chicago-proper commas in my drafts.

 

[bizaro86]

I haven't seen Hamilton yet, but I have seen countless inappropriately included and excluded commas in writing that has been through a technical editor this year. And I'm not speaking of the differences of opinion on whether or not the Oxford comma is appropriate....

That's certainly believable. On the other hand, Hamilton was a pretty renowned writer. I'd be curious to know how often his drafts and letters had punctuation errors. Without having done any research on the matter, I suspect not many errors were present.

 

[Grammarhero]

I haven't seen Hamilton yet, but I have seen countless inappropriately included and excluded commas in writing that has been through a technical editor this year. And I'm not speaking of the differences of opinion on whether or not the Oxford comma is appropriate....

Companies have lost millions for not using the Oxford comma. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/us/oxford-comma-maine.amp.html

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