Comparing Arthur Laurents West Side Story and Shakespeares Romeo and

Although the discrepancies in the midst of Romeo and Juliet and West brass account are too frequent to categorize in such limited space, it is impossible for anyone familiar with both texts to not notice the obvious similarities between the two works (Theme). From the opening move scenes in both, up through the rumble in West look Story/death of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, the plays mirror each other (Poelstra). It isnt until the dwell part of West Side Story, where Tony (our modern-day Romeo) dies and Maria (Tonys Juliet) doesnt (unlike the two star-crossed loers of Shakespeares work, both of whom perish), that the major difference between the two works becomes apparent. Granted, instead of stress between feuding families (Montaguesand Capulets), West Side Story offers prejudice between races, as illustrated between street gangs (Jets and Sharks). Some of the characters in West Side Story are carbon copies of those in Romeo and Juliet Maria (Juliet), Tony (Romeo), Bernardo (Tybalt), Lt. Schrank (Prince), and Anita (Nurse). Others appear to be a composite of characters, namely Riff, a combination of Benvolio and Mercutio, and Doc, who appears to fulfill the power of beggar Laurence (possessed somewhat of a peacekeeping nature You couldnt play basketball?, he asks, when informed of their upcoming war council Laurents 57) yet, at the same time, it is implied (in the film version, not the play) that he is a pharmacist, and there was, after all, an apothecary in Romeo and Juliet . The hoydenish Anybodys, a Jet wannabe, would best fit into the role of Balthasar (although Docs character fits into this role marginally, as well), since it was she who aided Tony in escaping after the rumble (which resulted in the d... ... a story four centuries old to be retold in a somewhat modern-day setting (after all, street gangs are more prominent straightway that ever before), a retelling that has garnered its own wide audience appeal over the past fourdecades (Th eme), showing that certain tales can endure the test of time more than once, provided the content/context effectively reflects the adult male within which it occurs. Works Cited Laurents, Arthur. West Side Story. (A musical, based on a conceptionof Jerome Robbins music by Leonard Bernstein lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.) NY Random House, 1966. Poelstra, James. Romeo and Juliet vs. West Side Story. (17 July 97). Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. The Complete Works of WilliamShakespeare, Volume I. Ed. W. G. Clark and W. Aldis Wright. NYNelson Doubleday, Inc., 247-277.Modernizing Age-Old Theme. (17 July 97).