Suspense and its types

 

Suspense

Definition of Suspense

Suspense is a literary device that is used by the authors to keep the interest of their readers active or alive throughout the work. Suspense is the feeling of excitement that the reader feels. It is a feeling of eagerness that something dangerous or unusual is going to happen in the novel, story or drama.

 

Importance of Suspense:

Suspense plays a significant role in making any work attractive. The purpose of using suspense of anxiety in literature is to make readers more concerned about the characters, and to form sympathetic association with them.  

Many authors use dramatic irony to create suspense in their works. Dramatic Irony occurs when readers or audiences know something that characters do not. 

Example of suspense:

William Shakespeare has made the use of suspense in his famous work Othello. Iago plays the role of a villain who creates jealousy in Othello, to destroy his life and career by convincing him that his wife is deceitful. The readers know that Othello’s wife is not guilty, and that Iago has wicked intentions toward Othello. However, Othello is ignorant of this fact.

Throughout the play, readers feel curious and worried, because they know that Iago is making a fool of Othello. This creates suspense for readers and members of the audience encouraging them to continue reading and watching, as they are eager to know if Othello gets out of Iago’s trap or not.