One of the things that I like the most about Shakespeare is the creativity that his work inspires in others. In fact, in the 400 years since, Shakespeare has probably taken on an importance at least equal to virtually any other body of literature, and knowledge of it is a necessity for anyone wanting to either get a comprehensive background in literature, or to participate in it as a creative agent. I'd go even further: for a young person with an interest in literature, there isn't a better place to start. A poem that argues all of this, in a subtle way, is John Milton's "An Epitaph on the Admirable Dramatic Poet W. Shakespeare", which makes the interesting point that Shakespeare's true legacy (and lasting monument) is in the contributions that he made to the minds of other people. Have a look:

What needs my Shakespeare for his honoured bones

The labour of an age in piled stones?

Or that his hallowed relics should be hid

Under a star-y-pointing pyramid?

Dear son of memory, great heir of fame,

What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name?

Thou in our wonder and astonishment

Hast built thyself a live-long monument.

For whilst to th' shame of slow-endeavouring art

Thy easy numbers flow, and that each heart

Hath from the leaves of thy unvalued book

Those Delphic lines with deep impression took,

Then thou our fancy of itself bereaving,

Dodt make us marble with too much conceiving;

And so sepulchred in such pomp dost lie,

That kings for such a tomb would wish to die.