Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story
Language techniques
Switching between comedy and tragedy to heighten the tension
Example: When Romeo gets banished by Prince Escalus and can’t go back to Verona, this increases the tension of the story. The audiences will feel that Romeo and Juliet will not stay together and they will be apart forever. However, there is a hope of getting them back together when Friar Laurence offers Juliet a plan to reunite her with Romeo. A happy ending will be expected by the audiences.
Change the form as the character develops
Expansion of minor characters
The use of sub-plots to have a comparison with the main-plots
Example: Romeo’s infatuation for Rosaline is introduced to audiences in the beginning of the play. However, Rosaline doesn’t accept his love. Romeo falls in love with Juliet at first sight later and he even agrees to be married with Juliet even though he knows Juliet for only one night. The sub-plot of Romeo’s infatuation for Rosaline contrasts his love for Juliet. By comparing his love for Juliet and for Rosaline, the audiences can see clearly the seriousness of Romeo and Juliet’s love and marriage.

Similarity between Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story * The hatred of the two parties
In Romeo and Juliet, the Capulet and Montague are enemies for each other. In West side story, the Jets and Sharks dislike and disapprove of each other. * The consequence of hatred
Their hatred for each other paves the way to death. Romeo and Juliet’s death results from the feud of their families, the Capulet and Montague. Tony is slayed as a consequence of hatred between the two gangs, the Jets and Sharks. The feud of these two plays involves innocent people around them. It affects the relationship that can be formed or is forming. For instance, Romeo and Juliet’s love and Tony and Maria’s love. * The presence of violence
The presence of violence in the plays prevents life going on smoothly. Violence leads to the brawl between the Jets and Sharks and Mercutio and Tybalt. The leaders of the Jets and Sharks, Riff and Bernardo, and Mercutio and Tybalt are slayed as a result of violence. * The growing of love
The growing of love in the Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story is similar. Romeo and Juliet fall in love with each other at first sight. This circumstance does happen in West Side Story. Tony and Maria become infatuated when they see each other in the dance. Their love grows rapidly and is