Comparing Romeo And West Side Story

Romeo is a character from William Shakespeare's drama, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, who shares many similarities to Tony from West Side Story, a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Romeo and Tony are two characters who fall in love with women from their rival families and or gangs. West Side Story is heavily inspired by the play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, and it shows throughout the feature film. Romeo and Tony are alike in many different ways because they are both easily influenced, romantic, and dramatic. Romeo and Tony are both very easily influenced. They fall in love with women from their family’s arch rivals and have to keep their relationship secret from their families. Romeo and Tony show they are easily influenced when Romeo marries Juliet, and when Tony and Maria exchange wedding vows together. “For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone/Till Holy Church incorporate two in one” (2.6.36-37), this quote shows that Romeo and Juliet get married officially by the church. Tony and Romeo still do these actions even though they have

Tony and Maria kiss the first time they meet, at the rumble, and the same with Romeo and Juliet, at the party. Romeo says, “Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged!/ Give me my sin again” (1.5.108-109), Romeo is saying to Juliet that he wants to kiss her again, showing that he is romantic. Romeo and Juliet do not even know each other and especially do not know that they are Montagues and Capulets. As seen in (1.5.137), Nurse tells Juliet that Romeo is a Montague, “My only love, sprung from my only hate!” Juliet says. Another example that Romeo and Tony are romantics, is the balcony and fire escape scenes. Romeo sees Juliet on the balcony, goes up to her, and gives Juliet a big monologue revealing his love and Tony does the same to Maria. These big actions show the love that Romeo and Tony actually have for Juliet and