The Collected Plays of William Shakespeare

When I was growing up, I didn't understand why anybody cared about Shakespeare. Then I had a teacher who said, "Look, you know who Tupac is, and how he speaks—in a cadence and rhythm that doesn't necessarily translate to the rest of the world. That's Shakespeare." After that I wanted to learn everything about his work. In terms of human conflicts and relationships and, of course, rhythm, Shakespeare is the master. I have yet to play the roles I love—Hamlet, Malvolio, Othello—but I will be ready when the call comes.