Expressing Characters' Emotions

Emotions are an essential aspect of human life. As social beings, we are continually interacting with others and, as such, have to use emotions to express our thoughts and feelings. Characters in literature and movies are no different in that they must also express emotions to make their stories compelling. In this essay, I will explore the use of words to express characters' emotions in literature.

One of the most natural emotions to express in literature is love. This feeling is universal and relatable, and as such, it is one of the most used in literature. Words like 'heartfelt,' 'adoration,' and 'devotion' are some of the ways authors use to express love between characters. For instance, in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth is headstrong and quick-witted, and Mr. Darcy is brooding and somewhat arrogant. However, as the story progresses, the characters' love for each other starts to develop, and the author uses words like ‘venerated,’ ‘admired,’ and ‘affectionate’ to express the depth of their passion.

Another emotion common in literature is anger. This emotion is vital, for it often leads to conflict, which makes stories more interesting. Words which can express anger include 'furious,' 'irate,' 'outraged,' and 'incensed.'

An excellent example of such an emotion is found in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet where we see the main character display extreme fury towards his uncle, who murdered his father. Shakespeare uses the word 'frenzy' to express Hamlet's rage.

Frustration is another common emotion in literature. When characters are thwarted in their aims, they often become frustrated. In such instances, words such as 'exasperated,' 'irritated,' and 'agitated' can be appropriate.

For instance, in George Orwell's Animal Farm, Snowball becomes frustrated with Napoleon's rule and uses the word ‘exasperated’ to describe his feelings.

Fear is also another common emotion in literature. Fear can be expressed through adjectives like 'timid,' 'anxious,' 'scared,' and 'hesitant.' For instance, in J.K Rowling's Harry Potter series, we see Harry express his hesitancy towards the dark wizard, Voldemort.

In conclusion, emotions are fundamental in literature; they can make or break a story. Authors use words to express different emotions in characters, and this is what makes their work stand out. Characters' emotions help the reader connect with the characters and immerse themselves in the story. Therefore, for literature to be successful, authors must correctly convey emotions.