Julius Caesar

Being asked to read this at school, at 14, for English literature was a bit cruel. The extra Latin lessons after class were even more tortuous for a teenager going through the social crisis called growing up.

What I didn't realise back then was that this isn't the most strenuous or mind-boggling play written by William Shakespeare by any stretch of the imagination. In comparison to Hamlet, Macbeth or King Lear it's practically child's play, hence the choice for English lit back then.

Those nasty teachers weren't so cruel after all!

It's still Shakespeare though and definitely not for everyone. I recommend it as an introduction to "tragedies" before moving on with harder works.

There are some great quotes for everyone, too:

"Friends, Romans and countrymen, lend me your ears."

And my favourite:

"If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed. If not, this parting was well made."

If only I had the hindsight at 14 that I now possess. I would have lapped this up and looked like a genius.