Contrast Of Romeo And Juliet An West Side Story Essay Example For Students

Contrast Of Romeo And Juliet An West Side Story Essay Contrast of Romeo and Juliet and West Side StoryEssay submitted by Bob GarrardThree Hundred Fifty Years of Blind Love: A Contraposition of Shakespeare andRobbins Romeo and Juliet Andy Warhol once said, They say that time changes things, but actually you have to change themyourself. Two hundred fifty years passed between the original Romeo and Juliet and the premiereof West Side Story on Broadway in 1957. However, time did not change the message of thestory, simply the creators unique visions evolved. Shakespeares delivery of the timeless tale ofdesperate love in his classic Romeo and Juliet proves to only intensify through retelling andmodern interpretation. Audiences cherish Romeo and Juliet as one of the most beloved plays ofall time from the Elizabethan Age to the present. Romeo and Juliet have attained the role as thequintessential lovers, and the noun, a Romeo, is synonymous with lover. ShakespearesRomeo and Juliet is closely based on Arthur Brookes tale, The Tragicall History o f Romeus andJuliet. The language, attitudes, and customs detailed in the play are generally English, in spite ofBrookes original Italian setting. In 1949, choreographer Jerome Robbins decided to retellBrooke and Shakespeares romantic tragedy using song and dance, elements of racism andnationalism, and a modern vernacular. Robbins called upon the musical talents of composerLeonard Bernstein and the words of Arthur Laurents for the script and book. The love storyproved to have universal appeal throughout all artistic forms, as it had already been adjusted foropera and ballet. The contemporary adaptation of this timeless classic alters details and deepensthe message of hatred, but maintains Brooke and Shakespeares vision. The relationshipsbetween the characters, plot sequence, and theme of hatred in West Side Story and Romeo andJuliet intertwine resulting in two similar, yet varying versions of the most famous love story of alltime. The relationships between the characters of West Side Story and Shakespeares Romeo andJuliet are reflective of their respective time periods and the original story. Maria and Julietrepresent a slightly practical counterpart to both Tonys and Romeos idealistic nature. Mariasbrother Bernardo and Juliets cousin Tybalt portray impulsively stubborn and violent characterswho both die from wounds inflicted by the male lead. Lieutenant Schrank is similar to PrinceEscalus, although Schrank is unfair in his treatment and attitude towards one gang- the Sharks. Anita and Nurse both take on the role as Juliets confidant and trusted friend, often tamperingwith their roles as messengers. The mischievously tomboyish Anybodys, who desperately wantsto be a Jet, would best fit into the role of Balthasar, since it was she who aided Tony in escapingafter the rumble, as well as later informing the other Jets that Tony was being hunted. Finally, thecharacter of Doc appears to fulfill the role of Friar Laurence because both possess somewhat of apeacekeeping nature. Doc attempts to get through to Tony by dramatically pleading, Why doyou live like theres a war on? Why do you kill? (2.5). All of the characters are consistent to theheart and soul of the story as well as the slightly differing plots. West Side Story maintains Romeo and Juliets intricate and exciting plot using appropriateadaptations to accommodate mid-twentieth-century pop culture. For instance, both artistic formsportray mutual disrespect between the parties. At the dawn of Romeo and Julie t, Capuletscohorts harass Montagues. I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if theybear it, boasts Sampson (1.1.42-43). In the opening scene of West Side Story, several membersof a Puerto Rican gang insult A-rab, a member of the opposing gang. It is here where LieutenantSchrank 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 ahot surprise for you: you hoodlums dont own the streets(1.1). Later, another similarity takesplace. Riff convinces Tony to attend the dance at the gym just as Benvolio persuades Romeo toattend the Capulets masquerade. Tony confesses to Riff that hes reachin out forsomething(1.2), just what, he doesnt know. Riff encourages Tony by proposing, Maybe whatyoure waitin forll be twitchin at the dance! (1.2). Shakespeare and direc tor Jerome Robbinschoose to draw the audiences attention to the dramatic lovers by giving them unique and eminentqualities. At the Capulet ball in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, all of the characters speak inblank verse, but when Romeo and Juliet converse, they speak in sonnet form. Throughout thedance at the gym in West Side Story, both of the gangs members dance a mambo, but Tony andMaria dance a cha-cha. Bernstein and Robbins translated Shakespeares spoken word intomodern dance techniques (Gravely 1). Along with the dance atmosphere, the discovery of thedoomed love affair is interpreted in a unique fashion in West Side Story, possibly losing passion inthe adaptation. Upon the revelation by Juliets kinfolk of her new love for the enemy in bothversions, the leading lady responds in similar manners. Couldnt you see hes one of them? (1.4.)Bernardo asks Maria, his sister. No; I saw only him, (1.4) she replies. Sixteenth-century Julietsexclamation was starkly more eloquent:My only love sprung from my only hate!Too early seen unknown, and known too late!Prodigious birth of love it is to me,That I must love a loathed enemy. (1.5.140-143)The balcony scene is mirrored in West Side Story as the fire escape scene. Romeometaphorically asks Juliet to arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon (2.2.4). During the fireescape scene, Tony and Maria sing Leonard Bernsteins s melody, Tonight:Tonight, tonight,The world is full of light,With suns and moons all over the place. Trifles by Susan Glaspell EssayRomeo and Juliets blind love is the force that unites two enemies, just as the eternal human spiritbrings all people of the Earth united as one. English Essays