Romeo and Juliet is a 16 th -century literal rendition of Shakespeare's poetry translation about star-crossed lovers who pay the ultimate price all for romance. West Side Story is a 1961 film based on Romeo and Juliet that portrays how lovers in different gangs in New York's streets pay the ultimate price for romance. Similar scenes from both works of art include Friar Laurence's failure to reach Romeo. He had been banished as it contained detailed information on Juliet's death, faking shenanigans that later caused both Romeo and Juliet's suicide (Bevington, 2012). This misinformation, or lack thereof, is also evident in West Side Story, where Tony is misinformed of Mariah's death, which brings him out of hiding that led to Chino killing him (Bauer, 2014). Another similar scene followed the end of one lover or faking that makes the other lover hold their body for the last time and feel the significant loss of love. Romeo was heartbroken by Juliet's still body as he kissed her, and the pain drove him to drink poison, which turned the scenario to Juliet waking up and holding Romeo's till body, whence, later killing herself. West Side Story has Mariah holding Tony's dead body as she felt a love lost and blamed it on the gang feud.
West Side Story employs a lot of music and choreography, and dramatic lighting where the Sharks street gang members showcase their supremacy and dominance in New York's neighborhoods. The Gang wants to highlight its superiority over a rival gang, the Jets, who already seem to have an edge (Bauer, 2014). The use of music, dance, and lighting are compelling scenic depictions of the intensity and dynamism of the themes and subjects portrayed and their overall significance to the film's plot. These tools and techniques conclusively highlight how Romeo and Juliet's literature and associated plays significantly influence societal affiliations. Love and happiness are the ultimate goals, and in their pursuit, people usually face many obstacles. Furthermore, people are willing to pay a heavy price, which can be their lives for those they love. Romeo and Juliet have inspired many works of art due to its relatable experiences and themes with literal and romantic appeals.
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References
Bauer, P. (2014). West Side Story. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica : https://www.britannica.com/topic/West-Side-Story-film-by-Robbins-and-Wise
Bevington, D. (2012). Romeo and Juliet. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica : https://www.britannica.com/topic/Romeo-and-Juliet
