[Morsul the Dark]

Well Inkling, You're Welcome. Secondly I will not debate that it takes a long time to read, because it does. I do however think that most of Shakespeare's works boil down to a moral:

Macbeth: Died because of greed(greed is bad)
Romeo and Juliet: Died for love(loyalty)
Merchant of Venuse: Tolerance

I will agree that in a play it is easier to get students to read.

I myself have never been blessed with LOTR or any of Tolkien's works as required reading. I do forget why I originally picked up the Hobbit that one day in the book store, so many years ago but it wasn't for school. But I think if it were taught in schools perhaps thered be more jolly honnit lovers in the world.