WHY ARE WE DOING THIS??

What's the point? I mean, seriously, what do you as students actually get out of reading a play written 400 years ago? Is there any value to it? Shouldn't your teacher be focusing on your grammar, essay writing skills, or your ability to write a resume for your soon-to-be banking career?
Well, actually, there might be some value to studying Shakespeare. For one thing: it's hard! Trying to interpret meaning from unfamiliar language actually engages parts of your brain in ways that can be really useful. Moreover, Big Willy is talking about problems and ideas that are still relevant today: jealous, revenge, rejection, trying to figure out what our purpose is in what seems like a purposeless world. 
I can cite the studies that show the value of Shakespeare, or list off the many metaphors and words that he created and are still used today, but what does it matter if the man doesn't connect with today's reader? I think great art must be a reflection of our own reality and, with Hamlet, there's no better place to look for the dangers of jealousy, the pit-falls of self-doubt, the challenges of rising to the challenge. Just as Hamlet must come to terms with who he is in the face of overwhelming adversity, so must you as you prepare to enter adulthood. 
So that's my question for you in your next blog: Why are we doing this? Is there value to studying Hamlet , or are we simply conforming to an outdated view of education that is no longer relevant in the modern twitter-verse? Speak freely!