Why do composers include dissonance in their music?

Composers include dissonance in their music to create tension and emotional complexity, which can enhance the listener's experience. Dissonance often serves as a way to build anticipation before resolving into consonance, providing a sense of movement and progression. It can also evoke a range of feelings, from unease to excitement, allowing composers to convey deeper narratives and themes within their compositions. Ultimately, dissonance enriches the harmonic language and adds depth to musical expression.