One of the obvious similarities is what happened to Bernardo and Tybalt as the stories progressed. They both tried to stop the two lovers from continuing their romance. If they left the two lovers alone they would have lived. They were so infuriated by the them falling in love with rival groups they would do anything to stop them, but this cost them their lives.
Another similarity is that both groups hate each other due to their differences. The Sharks and the Jets were rival gangs, so of course Tony and Maria's love was forbidden. They also quarlled due to the difference in their race. The Capulet's and the Montague's were dueling families. Therefore Romeo and Juliet's love was out of the question.
These two stories also have many differences as well. One of these differences is that the characters in West Side Story are rough and mean compared to the characters in Romeo and Juliet. The characters in West Side Story were gang members who would pick a fight with anyone and were very ruthless. The characters in Romeo and Juliet are sophisticated. They are feminine compared to the cruel characters in the gangs of West Side Story.
Another difference is that the characters in West Side Story live in a very large city of Manhattan, New York, while the characters in Romeo and Juliet live in the small town of Verona. There are so many possibilities in Manhattan. Tony and Maria could have easily ran to somewhere else in the city and never have to worry about the dueling gangs again. The Characters in Romeo and Juliet live in such a small town that they would be found in such a small town.
By doing this project I have further thought about things such as hate. As I always have I think hate for any reason is immature and stupid. This was a good project and I think everyone should put their selves in the place of the two lovers. Just by doing this project it will help in some way during my life.
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