Passion, you see, can be destroyed by a doctor. It cannot be created.

Peter Shaffer’s quote, "Passion, you see, can be destroyed by a doctor. It cannot be created," speaks to the delicate and fragile nature of passion. Shaffer suggests that while passion can be destroyed or diminished by external forces, such as the clinical or rational approach of a doctor, it is not something that can be artificially created or manufactured. This highlights the vulnerability of passion to the cold, detached nature of medical or scientific interventions, which might attempt to suppress or control emotions, desires, or natural instincts.

The quote also implies that passion is an innate, personal, and deeply emotional force that arises from within an individual. Unlike something that can be diagnosed, treated, or prescribed by a doctor, passion is a subjective experience that cannot be easily manipulated. Shaffer contrasts the intensity and authenticity of passion with the often impersonal, methodical nature of medicine, which may attempt to reduce complex human emotions to mere symptoms or conditions. Thus, while doctors can alleviate suffering or provide treatment, they cannot create the depth of human passion, which arises from life experiences and personal connections.

The origin of the quote likely stems from Shaffer's work as a playwright, particularly his exploration of complex human emotions and inner turmoil in works like Equus and Amadeus. As a writer, Shaffer was deeply interested in the interplay between humanity, emotion, and reason, and this quote reflects his philosophical view that while rational interventions can address the bodily aspects of human life, they cannot touch the more profound, irrational aspects such as passion.

Ultimately, Shaffer’s quote serves as a reflection on the limitations of medical or scientific intervention in the emotional realm. It underscores the idea that while rationality and reason can control or diminish certain emotions, they cannot ignite or create the raw, authentic passion that comes from within an individual. The quote serves as a reminder of the complexity of human emotion and the power of passion to shape our lives in ways that no external force can fully replicate.