This paper reviews William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and, in particular, examines how it is a play about an intellectual prince
that
ultimately demonstrates the limited value of the intellect and rationalization when there is a need to take a public action. It looks at how, by searching for the right role, Hamlet must play an avenger in order to verify the importance of
intelligence in ruling a country. It discusses how it possible to contend that Hamlet's intelligence is what makes him unable to act as an effective protagonist, ruler, or son, and how, despite the sympathy his intelligence creates in the mind of a viewer, ultimately, Hamlet's reliance upon reflection reveals him as an over-educated prince, rather than a truly inspired leader.