In "Don Quixote," Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra presents the idea that love is essential for a knight-errant's identity and purpose. A knight who lacks love is compared to a lifeless tree, which cannot flourish without its leaves or fruit. Similarly, Cervantes suggests that without love, a knight's existence is hollow, much like a body devoid of a soul. This metaphor emphasizes the importance of love in giving meaning and vitality to a knight's heroic pursuits. Through this metaphor, Cervantes highlights the essential nature of love in the romantic ideal of chivalry. It suggests that for a knight-errant, love not only motivates their quests but also defines their very existence. The imagery of a tree and soul illustrates that love is what nourishes and animates a knight, confirming that the true essence of knighthood is intimately tied to matters of the heart.

For a knight-errant without love was like a tree without leaves or fruit, or a body without a soul.