West Side Story is a contemporary film inspired in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The central theme of forbidden love between young lovers from opposing groups portrays the destructive nature of prejudice and hatred, leading to tragic outcomes. The lovers, Romeo and Juliet, and Tony and Maria, face immense societal pressures and personal sacrifices. Ultimately, both narratives highlight the senselessness of violence and the enduring power of love amidst conflict.

A teacher presents to her High School students the film West Side Story, and then associates it with the play Romeo and Juliet to conduct a thematic comparative analysis; by doing this, she