Why do students still read Shakespeare? A conspiracy of finger-wagging, we-know-what’s-best-for-you high school English teachers? No. It’s his empathetic powers, making people see ourselves as we are — rationalizations not permitted.

Shakespeare has much to teach lawyers. Eschewing Judge Judy, his questions are penetrating: How should judges go about judging? Does the rule of law matter? Are mercy and justice mutually exclusive, or are they complementary?