Romeo And Juliet And West Side Story Comparison Chart
Introduction
Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story are two of the most famous love stories in history. Both are tragic tales of young love that face various obstacles. These stories have been adapted into movies, plays, and musicals. Though these tales were written centuries apart, they share many similarities and differences. In this article, we will compare and contrast Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story.
Plot
Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona, Italy, in the 16th century. It tells the story of two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who belong to rival families. West Side Story is set in New York City in the 1950s. It is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, with the two lovers belonging to rival street gangs.
Characters
The main characters in Romeo and Juliet are Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, and Tybalt. Romeo is a Montague, and Juliet is a Capulet. Mercutio is Romeo's best friend, and Tybalt is Juliet's cousin. In West Side Story, the main characters are Tony, Maria, Riff, and Bernardo. Tony is a former member of the Jets, and Maria is the sister of the leader of the Sharks. Riff is the leader of the Jets, and Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks.
Themes
The themes of both stories are love, hate, and violence. Romeo and Juliet is a story of forbidden love, where the two lovers must deal with the hatred between their families. West Side Story is a story of love between two people from rival gangs, who must deal with the violence and hatred between their groups.
Music
Romeo and Juliet has been adapted into operas, ballets, and musicals. West Side Story is a musical that was written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. The music in West Side Story combines jazz, Latin American music, and classical music. The songs in West Side Story include "Maria," "America," and "Tonight." The music in Romeo and Juliet is more classical and includes pieces by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story are two timeless tales of love and tragedy. Both stories have been adapted into various forms of media and continue to captivate audiences. While they share many similarities, such as their themes of love, hate, and violence, they also have many differences, such as their settings and music. Despite these differences, both stories have left a lasting impact on popular culture.
