In "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the narrator reflects on the complexities of love and beauty. He conveys a sense of confusion, noting that when he examines a person's mercy, he sees more that could frighten him than inspire affection. This introspection reveals a struggle to understand the nature of attraction and how mercy might outweigh physical beauty in establishing a connection.
The narrator also contemplates the conventional belief that beauty is the most significant factor in love. In his experience, however, he finds that without mercy, even beauty seems insufficient to provoke genuine feelings of love. This thought highlights the deeper qualities that contribute to attraction, suggesting that emotional attributes like kindness and compassion may be more vital than mere physical appearance.