“Two houses, both of equal dignity, In fair Verona, where we set our scene, From old grudge to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. » » dictated William Shakespeare in the prologue to his play Romeo and Juliet. West Side Story, directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, is a film about two gangs who clash in 1950s New York. Their feud is based on racial and ethnic differences. This differs from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where the main conflict centers around an old family feud. You would think that love can overcome all problems. Yet, through these texts, it becomes clear that the smallest differences, such as name or skin color, can destroy the strongest relationships. The relationships between Romeo and Juliet or between Tony and Maria are destroyed by racial differences, as well as social differences and family origins. Romeo and Juliet's love for each other was ultimately destroyed by suffering and death, caused by the The Montagues and the Capulets arguing. In history, many important people, including the lovers themselves, die because of the family feud, whether they were directly murdered by someone on the other side or forced to commit suicide because of it. pain caused by fighting. In the last line of the play, the prince declares: “For never was history more unhappy than that of Juliet and her Romeo” (Shakespeare). At this point, the two committed suicide due to a long series of events, including the death of one of Juliet's cousins ​​and Romeo's banishment from Verona. This all stems from a grudge between the heads of the family which does not include the children. The hatred that the families share has consumed middle of paper......ps. In both Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, it is clear how relationships can be destroyed by racial differences, family ties, and social problems. The two stories vary slightly in certain elements such as setting and time period, as well as some key plot points, but the message is the same; The strongest relationships can be ruined by the slightest of differences. The change in time period between the two shows that their message is timeless and can apply to any couple in any situation. Works CitedShakespeare, William. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Np: np, nd N. pag. Rep. in The Language of Literature. By Arthur N. Applebee. Evanston: McDougal Little, 2002. 990-1102. Print “West Side Story (1961) – Quotes”. IMDb. Np, and Web. November 27, 2013. West Side Story. Real. Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. 1961. United Artists, 1961. Film