Romeo and Juliet
Kylee Kauffman
Who's to Blame?
Both the families and the feud are responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet. If the two families were not constantly fighting, Romeo and Juliet would have been able to love each other freely. Soon after meeting, Juliet realizes that her love for Romeo is not allowed; "My love sprung from my only hate... That i must love a loathed enemy" (1.5.154,157). Also, the Capulet family pushed Juliet into a marriage with Paris, which drove her to drink the potion. After Juliet has a long argument with her father, he tells her: "An you be mine, I'll give you to my friend; And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets" (3.6.192,193). Capulet tells his daughter that if she does not marry his friend, she will be disowned from the family. This news makes her even more desperate for her beloved Romeo so she follows Friar's plan and fakes her own death. This will ultimately be the cause of both Romeo and Juliet's death.
West Side Story
West Side Story is an iconic play that tells the tale of two lovers who are destined for failure. They are each apart of two rival gangs known as the Sharks and the Jets. The names of these young sweethearts are Tony and Maria, and their tragic fate can connect with Romeo and Juliet's very closely. Maria can connect with Juliet on her forbidden love; "'I have a love and it's all that I have Right or wrong, what else can I do? I love him, I'm his, and everything he is I am too'" (Sondheim). Tony and Maria have many obstacles standing in their way but they still manage to love each other endlessly. In the end, the feud will cause Tony to lose his life and Maria barely surviving. The story of West Side Story is very much alike the story of Romeo and Juliet.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross expresses the feeling that no matter what obstacle is placed in front of oneself, it can be overcome by love. Romeo and Juliet were forbidden to be together but they conquered all adversities to do so. In the song, Diana shows that nothing will stop her from reaching her love; "Oh baby there ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough to keep me from getting to you babe" (Ross). Despite the feud between the Capulet and Montague families, Romeo and Juliet find a way to spend all of eternity together, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" shows that love conquers all.