It is said that that the fundamental vices of the mind of man are Kama (lust, desire), Krodha (anger, hatred), Lobha (greed, narrow mindedness), Mada (pride), Moha (delusion, emotional attachment) and Matsarya (envy, jealously). These are universal ideas present since time immemorial, irrespective of theology and philosophy. This makes Shakespeare relevant even today, as he explores these very values in man and the duality that exists in man, such as love and betrayal, jealously and friendship, bravery and cowardice, indecision and ambition, dishonor and morality.
Shakespearean characters have also become synonymous with certain characteristics eg: a couple in love on a tragic path are Romeo and Juliet. The current world around us and even our history is filled with such themes and such flaws. For example, we witness unscrupulous real-life dictators just like Macbeth (eg: Gadaffi, Sadaam).
In addition to the universality of themes and characters, his works have provided a rich addition to the modern English vocabulary eg: words like assassination, outbreak, upstairs, bloodstained etc. All these aspects make Shakespeare's plays timeless and relevant even for the modern reader.
This year we got to do Macbeth - filled with cauldron-stirring witches, Scottish Generals, runaway ambition and a veritable blood-bath. Whew!