romeo and juliet contrast with the west side story

A detailed Summary of romeo and juliet contrast with the west side story

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 th

Before drawing apart, both lovers agree to meet the following day. Romeo and Juliet are to convene "by the hour of nine" (2.2.182) and Tony and Maria "[at] sundown" (2.5). The tumultuously intense meeting inspires the young romantic lead to negotiate peace in both versions. Tony, at the request of Maria, tries to stop the violent affairs by pleading, "Bernardo you've got it wrong/ Are you chicken? / You won't understand" (2.5). Just as Romeo defends his pacific nature by explaining, "O sweet Juliet, / Thy beauty hath made me effeminate / And my temper softened valour's steel" (3.1.109-111). Despite Romeo and Tony's courageous efforts, Mercutio assaults Tybalt, which culminates with Riff's attacks on Bernardo. Both episodes result in the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, and Riff and Bernardo. Ironically, the peacemaker himself, in both works, murders his beloved's relative:

My only love sprung from my only hate!

Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

Some common words found in the essay are:
Romeo Juliet, West Story, Tony Maria, Bernardo Ironically, Story Schrank, Chino Tony, Romeo Juliet's, Brooke Shakespeare's, Arthur Laurents, Friar Laurence, romeo juliet, west story, tony maria, shakespeare's romeo juliet, shakespeare's romeo, love story, relationships characters, tonight tonight, theme hatred west, puerto rican, brooke's tale, jerome robbins, juliet tony maria, romeo juliet tony, plot sequence theme,

Approximate Word count = 1633
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

join now Save Paper

Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

"Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
Jack M.
"With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
Brian P.
"I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
Sara J.
"I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
Rachel W.
"I love this site!!!"
Marie N.

romeo and juliet contrast with the west side story

Related Essays

Saved Paper

Newest Essays

Testimonials