My reason, the physician to my love, angry that his prescriptions are not kept, hath left me

My reason, the physician to my love, angry that his prescriptions are not kept, hath left me

In William Shakespeare's works, the theme of love and relationships is a recurring motif that is explored in various ways. One of the most famous lines that delves into the complexities of love and its consequences is found in Sonnet 147: "My reason, the physician to my love, angry that his prescriptions are not kept, hath left me."

This line encapsulates the idea that love can often lead to irrational behavior and cloud one's judgment. The speaker in the sonnet is lamenting the fact that their reason, which should act as a guide and a source of clarity, has abandoned them because of the overwhelming emotions brought on by love. The metaphor of reason as a physician highlights the idea that reason is meant to heal and provide guidance, much like a doctor would prescribe medicine to cure an ailment. However, in this case, reason has been abandoned because the speaker's actions have not aligned with what is deemed rational or logical.

The phrase "angry that his prescriptions are not kept" suggests that reason is frustrated with the speaker for not following its advice. This could be interpreted as the speaker acting impulsively or making decisions based on emotions rather than logic. Love has the power to override reason and lead individuals to act in ways that are not in their best interest. In this case, reason has decided to distance itself from the speaker, leaving them to navigate the complexities of love without its guidance.

The consequences of this abandonment are significant, as the speaker is left feeling lost and vulnerable without the support of reason. The absence of reason can lead to further irrational behavior and potentially harmful decisions. Shakespeare masterfully captures the tumultuous nature of love and its ability to disrupt one's sense of logic and reason in this poignant line from Sonnet 147.