3+Westside+Story

== Our mission, for this unit, is to compare and contrast the play of "Westside Story", that we were able to see in Basel, with the movie by Metro Goldwyn Mayer and 20th Centry Fox. We need to take into consideration many varying aspects, and yet many similar aspects to truly determine what creates the essence of both in the form of entertainment and purpose. ==

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Have a read through the following prolgue to "Romeo and Juliet", by William Shakespeare. What connections can you make between the bard's wise words and one of the themes from Westside Story?
Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. he fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents’ rage, (10) Which, but their children's end, naught could remove, Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

William Shakespeare "Romeo and Juliet" === In another excert from "Romeo and Juliet", we find Romeo experiencing the power of //Love at First Sight//, when he spies Juliet across the room. What scene in the movie can we compare this moment with? What are some of the connections you can make between the movie and the text. Why would this be so? What purpose does it play? ===

Romeo: What lady's that, which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?

Servant: I know not, sir.

Romeo: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear— Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows (50) As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. (55)

William Shakespeare "Romeo and Juliet"