Contrast Of Romeo And Juliet An West

Side Story Essay, Research Paper

Contrast of Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story

Essay submitted by Bob Garrard

Three Hundred Fifty Years of Blind Love: A Contraposition of Shakespeare and

Robbins. Romeo and Juliet

Andy Warhol once said, “They say that time changes things, but actually you have to change them

yourself.” Two hundred fifty years passed between the original Romeo and Juliet and the premiere

of West Side Story on Broadway in 1957. However, time did not change the message of the

story, simply the creators. unique visions evolved. Shakespeare.s delivery of the timeless tale of

desperate love in his classic Romeo and Juliet proves to only intensify through retelling and

modern interpretation. Audiences cherish Romeo and Juliet as one of the most beloved plays of

all time from the Elizabethan Age to the present. Romeo and Juliet have attained the role as the

quintessential lovers, and the noun, “a Romeo,” is synonymous with ” lover.” Shakespeare.s

Romeo and Juliet is closely based on Arthur Brooke’s tale, The Tragicall History of Romeus and

Juliet. The language, attitudes, and customs detailed in the play are generally English, in spite of

Brooke.s original Italian setting. In 1949, choreographer Jerome Robbins decided to retell

Brooke and Shakespeare.s romantic tragedy using song and dance, elements of racism and

nationalism, and a modern vernacular. Robbins called upon the musical talents of composer

Leonard Bernstein and the words of Arthur Laurents for the script and book. The love story

proved to have universal appeal throughout all artistic forms, as it had already been adjusted for

opera and ballet. The contemporary adaptation of this timeless classic alters details and deepens

the message of hatred, but maintains Brooke and Shakespeare.s vision. The relationships

between the characters, plot sequence, and theme of hatred in West Side Story and Romeo and

Juliet intertwine resulting in two similar, yet varying versions of the most famous love story of all

time.

The relationships between the characters of West Side Story and Shakespeare.s Romeo and

Juliet are reflective of their respective time periods and the original story. Maria and Juliet

represent a slightly practical counterpart to both Tony.s and Romeo.s idealistic nature. Maria.s

brother Bernardo and Juliet.s cousin Tybalt portray impulsively stubborn and violent characters

who both die from wounds inflicted by the male lead. Lieutenant Schrank is similar to Prince

Escalus, although Schrank is unfair in his treatment and attitude towards one gang- the Sharks.

Anita and Nurse both take on the role as Juliet.s confidant and trusted friend, often tampering

with their roles as messengers. The mischievously tomboyish Anybodys, who desperately wants

to be a Jet, would best fit into the role of Balthasar, since it was she who aided Tony in escaping

after the rumble, as well as later informing the other Jets that Tony was being hunted. Finally, the

character of Doc appears to fulfill the role of Friar Laurence because both possess somewhat of a

peacekeeping nature. Doc attempts to get through to Tony by dramatically pleading, “Why do

you live like there.s a war on. Why do you kill.” (2.5). All of the characters are consistent to the

heart and soul of the story as well as the slightly differing plots.

West Side Story maintains Romeo and Juliet.s intricate and exciting plot using appropriate

adaptations to accommodate mid-twentieth-century pop culture. For instance, both artistic forms

portray mutual disrespect between the parties. At the dawn of Romeo and Juliet, Capulet.s

cohorts harass Montague.s. “I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they

bear it,” boasts Sampson (1.1.42-43). In the opening scene of West Side Story, several members

of a Puerto Rican gang insult A-rab, a member of the opposing gang. It is here where Lieutenant

Schrank becomes aware of the potential rumble. In Romeo and Juliet Escalus, Prince of Verona,

threatens, “If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace”

(1.1.103-104). In West Side Story, Schrank mediates in his own way when he declares, “I got a

hot surprise for you: you hoodlums don’t own the streets”(1.1). Later, another similarity takes

place. Riff convinces Tony to attend the dance at the gym just as Benvolio persuades Romeo to

attend the Capulets. masquerade. Tony confesses to Riff that he’s “reachin’ out for

something”(1.2), just what, he doesn’t know. Riff encourages Tony by proposing, “Maybe what

you’re waitin’ for’ll be twitchin’ at the dance!” (1.2). Shakespeare and director Jerome Robbins

choose to draw the audience.s attention to the dramatic lovers by giving them unique and eminent

qualities. At the Capulet ball in Shakespeare.s Romeo and Juliet, all of the characters speak in

blank verse, but when Romeo and Juliet converse, they speak in sonnet form. Throughout the

dance at the

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