Hyssop (Anise Hyssop)

Shakespeare’s villain, Iago, says,

‘Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many—either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry—why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills (1.3).

In context, Iago is telling his associate to toughen up and use his reason to master his emotion.  But he is also implying that his own will alone is responsible for his personal behavior and feelings.  A further implication could be that he can do and feel whatever he wants, without regard for his relationships, his society, his prior actions, or his God.  He can plant whatever he wants– hyssop or nettles (both plants with nutritional or medicinal qualities, though the latter also stings).  Although Renaissance England was fascinated with human changeability and capacity, in this play, Shakespeare gives this statement of self-sufficiency–with its implied disconnection from others–to the villain.

Out of context, though, the point that “our bodies are our gardens [where we have the choice to] set hyssop or weed up thyme” [or plant or weed other plants] suggests the opportunity we have to care for our bodies and minds and help them grow in good ways.