For the past month, I have been reading the infamous love story of Romeo and Juliet. While reading,
it became clear to me that the play is the base story line for the musical, West Side Story. Which got
me thinking; which is a better love story? Though both follow the same tragedy of two star crossed
lovers separated by a feud greater than themselves, it is truly up for interpretation by the viewers.
That’s why in this blog post I will lay out the facts so the viewers can decide which is truly a better tale
of love.
it became clear to me that the play is the base story line for the musical, West Side Story. Which got
me thinking; which is a better love story? Though both follow the same tragedy of two star crossed
lovers separated by a feud greater than themselves, it is truly up for interpretation by the viewers.
That’s why in this blog post I will lay out the facts so the viewers can decide which is truly a better tale
of love.
Setting Analysis
Verona, the setting for Romeo and Juliet, is quite similar to Manhattan despite the 500 year difference.
At the time, Verona is a bustling city with enough room and commerce for feuding families to co-exist,
as is Manhattan in the 1950’s. In both stories, however, city setting aside, most of the story takes
place in the streets between the warring entities.
At the time, Verona is a bustling city with enough room and commerce for feuding families to co-exist,
as is Manhattan in the 1950’s. In both stories, however, city setting aside, most of the story takes
place in the streets between the warring entities.
Analysis of Character Parallels
Tony/Romeo
In West Side Story our star crossed lover Romeo is Tony, a poor boy who delivers soda and is the
former leader of the white gang, the Jets that brings havoc to the city of Manhattan with their feud with
the Sharks, the puerto rican gang.
former leader of the white gang, the Jets that brings havoc to the city of Manhattan with their feud with
the Sharks, the puerto rican gang.
Main parallels
- Refuses to fight because of Maria
- Tony is obsessed with maria
- Falls in love with Maria at first sight
Maria/Juliet
West Side Story’s Juliet is filled by the Sharks leader’s, Bernardo’s, little sister, Maria. Maria, unlike
Juliet, is about the same age as her “Romeo”, Tony. Maria has much more thoughts about how she
wants to live her free life in Manhattan without her brother, Bernardo, choosing who she is to marry.
Like Juliet, she falls in love with her “Romeo” or Tony at first sight. However, she does not see Chino,
the boy she is to marry, as something holding her back and has very strong emotions
about not marrying him.
Juliet, is about the same age as her “Romeo”, Tony. Maria has much more thoughts about how she
wants to live her free life in Manhattan without her brother, Bernardo, choosing who she is to marry.
Like Juliet, she falls in love with her “Romeo” or Tony at first sight. However, she does not see Chino,
the boy she is to marry, as something holding her back and has very strong emotions
about not marrying him.
Main Parallels
- Her brother, Bernardo, plays a role as Tybalt, whom does not like that she and Tony
- Plans to be with Tony, they want to get married, (However, with the fantasy of their
- Associated with a gang, the Sharks, (similar to a house in Romeo and Juliet times) that
- Is to be married to Chino, like Juliet to Paris.
- Is told Tony is dead when he is not.
- Tony kills her brother, Bernardo.
- Maria wants to kill herself and Chino
- Maria is sad about the death of her brother but still loves Tony
- Maria blames both gangs, Officer Krupke and the world in general for Bernardo’s death
Bernardo/Tybalt
Bernardo, Maria’s older brother and leader of the Sharks, portrayed similarities hot-headed cousin
Tybalt. Although, Bernardo is most like Tybalt, he (Bernardo) also exhibits some of the same traits as
Capulet.
Tybalt. Although, Bernardo is most like Tybalt, he (Bernardo) also exhibits some of the same traits as
Capulet.
Main Parallels
- Bernardo warns Maria of Tony, because he thinks he’s dangerous.
- Bernardo dislikes the fact that Tony loves Maria, although he grudgingly has respect for
- Bernardo gets into a life and death fight with Tony
Riff/Mercutio
In West Side Story, Riff is Tony’s best friend, much like Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. Riff, however,
also portrays some of the same responsibilities to the story as Benvolio and Montague (of the the
House of Montague, leader of one of the feuding houses in the original. As Tony’s best friend,
Riff discourages Tony from a relationship with Maria, and instigates much of the violence between
the two gangs..
also portrays some of the same responsibilities to the story as Benvolio and Montague (of the the
House of Montague, leader of one of the feuding houses in the original. As Tony’s best friend,
Riff discourages Tony from a relationship with Maria, and instigates much of the violence between
the two gangs..
Main Parallels
- Riff tells Tony that he should go to the dance.
- Riff steps in when Tony refuses to continue fighting with Bernardo.
Doc/Friar Lawrence
Doc and Friar Lawrence both are the calm, reasonable voice between the two feuding gangs/houses.
Both are friends with both groups and both encourage peace and talking as opposed to violence.
Both are friends with both groups and both encourage peace and talking as opposed to violence.
Main Parallels
- Doc does not believe that Tony is really in love with Maria
- Doc helps Tony hide after he kills Bernardo
- Doc encourages Tony to stay away from the Jets, and to keep working towards his dreams
Officer Krupke/Prince
Main Parallels
- Officer Krupke pushes around both gangs
- Through his actions, Krupke indirectly encourages the violence between the gangs
- Krupke threatens both gangs if they continue fighting
- Krupke is a racist
Less Defined Character Roles
Anita is a fluid role.
From a story line perspective, she assumes the roles of:
the Nurse - she advises Bernardo not to be so strict with Maria; discourages the
relationship between Maria and Tony and; acts as a mentor to Maria
relationship between Maria and Tony and; acts as a mentor to Maria
Lady Capulet - she counsels Maria to be more loyal to her brother’s memory and to
forget Tony, her brother’s killer
forget Tony, her brother’s killer
Balthazar - performing the critical piece, Anita tells Tony Maria is dead, setting the
stage for the final acts
stage for the final acts
.
Analysis of Events
Party/Gym Dance > Love at First Sight
In this scene, Tony finds Maria across the crowded dance floor and, just as in Romeo and Juliet, it is
love at first sight. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, this is mutual, and all the world seems to fall away as
Tony and Maria meet in the middle of the dance floor and begin to dance.
love at first sight. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, this is mutual, and all the world seems to fall away as
Tony and Maria meet in the middle of the dance floor and begin to dance.
Balcony Scene/Fire Escape Scene
The only distinction between these two scenes, is the balcony has been replaced with inner-city’s
‘balcony’ a fire escape. The dialogue is almost identical, the uncertainties of love, the
acknowledgement of the impossibilities of love, and the final proclamation and plan to meet.
‘balcony’ a fire escape. The dialogue is almost identical, the uncertainties of love, the
acknowledgement of the impossibilities of love, and the final proclamation and plan to meet.
Act Four, Scene One/The Rumble
In Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio and Benvolio (House of Montague) are approached by Tybalt (House of
Capulet) because Tybalt wants to confront Romeo for being at the party, when he, Romeo, a
Montague should not have been. Tybalt not only wants to confront Romeo but he wants to fight him,
presumably to the death. In West Side Story, our heroes, Riff and Bernardo arrange for their
respective gangs to rumble, in this case, it is a simple question of who runs which side of the street.
Either way, in each case, the fight is a war over turf.
Capulet) because Tybalt wants to confront Romeo for being at the party, when he, Romeo, a
Montague should not have been. Tybalt not only wants to confront Romeo but he wants to fight him,
presumably to the death. In West Side Story, our heroes, Riff and Bernardo arrange for their
respective gangs to rumble, in this case, it is a simple question of who runs which side of the street.
Either way, in each case, the fight is a war over turf.
Personal Viewpoint
Despite the many similarities between the two stories, West Side Story appeals to me more. I think for
me it is the relevance, in West Side Story, the warring gangs is just more relatable to my own life. It is
hard to immerse myself in two warring castles, but I can easily relate to two street gangs fighting it out
over turf, and the unnecessary violence that often results, even to this day. But it is because of the
great amount of similarity, that preference for one story over the other is up to the reader/viewer’s own
interpretation.
me it is the relevance, in West Side Story, the warring gangs is just more relatable to my own life. It is
hard to immerse myself in two warring castles, but I can easily relate to two street gangs fighting it out
over turf, and the unnecessary violence that often results, even to this day. But it is because of the
great amount of similarity, that preference for one story over the other is up to the reader/viewer’s own
interpretation.
But no matter your preference, either way you are getting all Shakespeare.
Share your thoughts and comments below.
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