In William Shakespeare’s drama Romeo and Juliet and Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’s film West Side Story, the main male characters, Romeo and Tony, are depicted as being consubstantial and dissimilar in terms of personality. Tony is the more modern counterpart of Romeo. As many intricate events occur throughout the film and the drama, Tony and Romeo’s characteristics, words, and actions reveal how similar and different they are. Although Romeo and Tony are both affectionate, passionate men, Romeo acts on capricious and irrational tendencies, whereas Tony is more stable and mature. Romeo and Tony are both headstrong young men. They are unafraid to overcome diversity in order to persevere in seeking the forbidden love which is displayed by …show more content…
He reasons, “I am too sore enpiercèd with his shaft / To soar with his light feathers; and so bound / I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe. / Under love’s heavy burden do I sink” (1.4.19-22). In this example, Romeo believes he knows what true love really is and that his life cannot go on because he is so badly hurt by it. In contrast, in regards to the killing of Bernardo, Tony doesn’t feel as if his life has ended as a result of his crime. Tony is still more emotionally stable than Romeo due to the fact that he is still hopeful about his future with Maria, even if he knows that he can be arrested. He dreams of escaping to the country with Maria and having kids. Romeo feels that his life is over due to some failed, infatuation-driven love, where as Tony knows what he has done is wrong, yet continues to live his life with Maria as long as he can. Many events within the film and drama demonstrate the similar and contrasting characteristics Tony and Romeo possess. Romeo is younger and more naïve than Tony. These factors contribute to how they acknowledge the circumstances given. Romeo may go about reacting to the situations that are presented in an impulsive, irrational manner. Tony reacts in a more practical and mature demeanor. However, it is evident that both characters will do anything for their lovers, Juliet and Maria due to their passion and