West Side Story Speech

Compare the representation of this character with the corresponding character from West Side Story.

You should analyse the way that characterization reflects context. Explain how each character reflects the values, attitudes and/or lifestyles within that society. Which aspects of the character transcend the context and remain universal?

William Shakespeare wrote the play Romeo and Juliet approximately four hundred years ago for Elizabethan audiences of the time. After watching the film West side Story directed by Robert Wise, the universal issues portrayed in this tragic romantic tale of two lovers and the hardships that they face in their lives, have clearly transcended time for West side story to become a popular film for an American audience in the 1950’s. West Side Story is an adaption of Romeo and Juliet, both texts are filled with dramatic irony and both are related to two lovers who come from rival families, Subsequently the relationship between the two texts and their respective cultural context is significant and exemplified by the principles they portray.

Within West Side Story the character played by Tony corresponds with that of Romeo from Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. Tony and Romeo both reflect the values and attitudes within their society and many aspects of their character transcend the context that remains universal today.

As Maria expresses, just before they sing 'Tonight' - "but you are not one of us, and I am not one of you." This is practically the exact message that Juliet delivers to Romeo from her balcony, "Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague." It was evident in society in the play Romeo and Juliet that

Tonys character from West side Story contrasts the 1950’s by the fire escape scene… which relates to Romeo from Romeo and Juliet where his character contrasts the Elizabethan era. The balcony scene in Romoo and Juliet They did it at night didnt they? So it had to be in secret because their love was forbidden in society because of their social class.

Tony is mature and has a job and his focus is on his future.
They have a complete different set of value system, the gangs have their own understanding Of what is valued. Use of colour. Red is reflected on brick work. Represents the presence of sharks, they bit hard. Violence and blood and passion. Passion is bloody and violent and also romantic. Similar between Shakespeare imaging him different to anyone else. But also tony is bright and enlightening and Romeo is dark. Builds up. Shows tony personality. R&j aswell. Love at first site is portrayed as silly. Then tony does this same thing. He is portrayed as a responsible character because he has a job and will work his way out off this society and way of life. Then he falls in love at first sight which is immature. But is it really because he sings a song about how he is searching for love. Jets discriminate against sharks where as all of them are immigrants anyway. They are battling for what's considered as a restricted goods and services and taking what we have. Battle for limited resources. This is first scene showing Tony against fighting and violence. Foreshadowing his values. Tony has been involved and something in him has changed. Tony is becoming responsible and mature.