Why Do We Care?

Well, it seems that John Marsden's modernized version of Hamlet isn't really all that different from Shakespeare's original version of Othello. Many of the characters were similar personality-wise, and it shows that even now Shakespeare's original characters resonate with modern readers. Polonius and Iago? Pretty much the same character. Both of them are scheming advisers to a powerful man. Othello and Hamlet? All-around good people with good battle skills, but also a short temper? Sounds similar to me. These characters all have similar actions and reactions to things, with a sense of surprise towards death (I've been reading ahead in Othello). These actions and traits still work when placed onto 21'st century characters, and that's why the Shakespeare's characters still work.