Kindness itself

[Deepurple]

May I ask what the "itself" means in the following sentence:
"Peter and Mary were kindness itself(why not "themselves"); they invited her to have a coffee with them." Thanks.

[2006]

May I ask what the "itself" means in the following sentence: It means that what they did was pure kindness/kindness defined/a great example of kindness.

"Peter and Mary were kindness itself;(why not "themselves") Because "itself" refers to "kindness", not to Peter and Mary. they invited her to have a coffee with them." Thanks.

2006

[Deepurple]

2006

Thank you for your quick answer.
BTW, may I ask why the definite article be deleted before "itself" when it is clear to both the reader and me in the following sentence? Thanks again.

[2006]

Thank you for your quick answer.
BTW, may I ask why the definite article be deleted before "itself" when it is clear to both the reader and me in the following sentence? When what is clear? Thanks again.

"the" is not necessary in your sentence; in fact it sounds odd with "the". If you say 'the word the' or 'the second the', it would sound okay.