Romeo and Juliet vs. West Side Story: A Tale Told in Tarot
Compare the key players and plot points of West Side Story with its theatrical basis, Romeo and Juliet. As in Shakespeare’s 1597 tragedy, a pair of doomed lovers from feuding factions are dealt an ill-fated hand.
THE SCENE
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
| Verona, Renaissance Italy | Manhattan's Upper West Side, 1950s |
THE HOUSEHOLDS
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
|
The Capulets vs. the Montagues Rival families, divided by an "ancient grudge" |
The Sharks vs. the Jets Rival gangs, divded by hate and prejudice |
THE STAR-CROSS'D LOVERS
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
|
Romeo and Juliet Fall in love at the Capulet's ball and meet later on Juliet's balcony |
Tony and Maria Fall in love at the gymnasium dance and meet later on Maria's fire escape |
THE HOTHEADS
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
|
Tybalt and Mercutio Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, kills Romeo's best friend, Mercutio; Romeo kills Tybalt |
Bernardo and Riff Maria's brother, Bernardo, kills Tony's best friend, Riff; Tony kills Bernardo |
THE SUITOR
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
|
Paris Juliet's father forces her to marry Paris; Romeo kills Paris in the final scene |
Chino Bernardo pressures Maria to date Chino; Chino kills Tony in the final scene |
THE CONFIDANTE
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
|
Nurse Juliet's guardian and messenger |
Anita Maria's best friend, Bernardo's girlfriend |
THE WISEMAN
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
|
Friar Laurence Romeo's advisor |
Doc Tony's boss |
THE AUTHORITY
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
|
Prince Escalus A nobleman trying to keep the peace in his fair city |
Lt. Schrank A cop trying to keep the peace on his beat |
THE ELOPEMENT
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
| Friar Laurence marries Romeo and Juliet in secret | Tony and Maria imagine their wedding day in the song "One Hand, One Heart" |
THE POISON
| Romeo and Juliet | West Side Story |
| Romeo believes Juliet is dead because she takes a sleeping potion; he kills himself with poison | Tony believes Maria is dead because Anita lies to the Jets; he kills himself by goading Chino to shoot him |