Just like most adolescents I had to read Shakespeare in high school. I knew that in Romeo and Juliet Mercutio was funny and even made a pun when he was dying from a stab wound. I recently watched a movie version of Romeo and Juliet and I found myself crying! I felt kind of dumb but then I realized that this is what the word "classic" means--always fresh--and then I didn't feel dumb anymore.
The famous Agincourt speech in Henry V had the same effect on me. So I memorized it.
...we few...we happy few...we band of brothers...for he who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother..be he ne'er so vile, today will gentle his condition...and gentlemen in England now abed will think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap...whilst any speaks...who fought with us...upon St. Crispin's Day.