Poetry in Popular Culture

In the movie Billy Madison, Hamlet’s poem To Be, or Not To Be is referenced. Two of the characters are competing in an academic decathlon. I think it’s very important and meaningful that this poem is used in this situation. It shows that poetry is very important to the academic world and that everyone can use it. Although Adam Sandler’s character is making fun of the poem in a way, it does show some significance of the poem and poetry in general. To me, it symbolizes the importance of knowing and understanding at least some forms of poetry and that that knowledge can be used in many situations.