“ Two families, both similar in dignity, In beautiful Verona, where we set our scene, From ancient rancor to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands impure. dictated William Shakespeare in the prologue of his play, Romeo and Juliet. West Side Story, directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, is a film about two gangs in 1950s New York who fight each other. Their feud is based on racial and ethnic differences. This differs from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where the main conflict centers on an ancient family feud. You might think that love can overcome all problems. However, through these texts, it is clear that the smallest differences, such as a 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 by social differences and family origin. Romeo and Juliet's love for each other was ultimately destroyed by suffering and death, caused by the Fight between Montague and Capulet. In the story, many important people, including the lovers themselves, die as a result of the family feud, whether they were directly murdered by someone on the other side or forced to take their own life due to the pain caused by the fighting. In the last line of the play, the prince states: "For there never was a more sorrowful story than that of Juliet and her Romeo" (Shakespeare). At this point the two took their own lives due to a long series of events, including the death of one of Juliet's cousins ​​and Romeo's expulsion from Verona. All this arises from a grudge between the heads of the family that does not include the children. The hatred shared by the families has consumed t...... middle of paper......ps. From both Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, it is clear how relationships can be destroyed by racial differences, family ties, and social problems. Both stories vary slightly in some elements such as setting and time period, as well as some key plot points, but the message is the same; The strongest of relationships can be ruined by the smallest of differences. The period change between the two proves that their message is timeless and can apply to any couple in any situation. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Np: np, nd No. page Rpt. in The language of literature. By Arthur N. Applebee. Evanston: McDougal Little, 2002. 990-1102. Print"West Side Story (1961) - Quotes." IMDb. Np, nd Web. November 27, 2013.West Side Story. Directors Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. 1961. United Artists, 1961. Film