I don't know too much about Hamlet, either as a character or a play. I know that it is a tragedy that centers around revenge and a couple famous quotes ("Alas! Poor Yorick.") but that's really about it.
What do you know about Shakespeare?
Again, my knowledge of Shakespeare is limited. I've only ever learned about him in school, and probably forgot a majority of what was taught. I know he was an English playwright who wrote primarily tragedies and comedies, and that he is widely regarded as the founder of "modern English". Besides that, I can only vaguely recall random tidbits of information (there was something about his theater burning down?).
Why do so many students involuntarily frown when they hear the name "Shakespeare"?
To start with, a lot of it is not voluntary. Through older siblings or friends, most people begin reading Shakespeare with the expectation that it is going to be an unpleasant experience. It has become the school norm to dislike Shakespeare. To some, it may even be somewhat of a social stigma to enjoy his work. Granted, the fact that it is difficult to read does a lot to back up peoples' expectations. Students (myself included) tend to dislike what things they do not understand. While Shakespeare's stories may be appealing to most people, the "archaic" way in which they are written turns many away.
What can we do to make studying this play an amazing experience we'll never forget?
While it may not go as far as making the play amazingly unforgettable, simply explaining some of the more difficult terms used helps a lot. Having a solid understanding of what Shakespeare is writing about goes a long way towards making his work more enjoyable. I am also not a huge fan of the ever popular high school Shakespeare role playing. To me, having people acting out the roles detracts from the story, as it affects my perception of the characters. It's a bit like watching a book-movie before reading the book--the book will never be quite the same.
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