Why is it important to exaggerate in melodrama?

Exaggeration in melodrama is crucial because it heightens emotional impact and engages the audience more deeply. By amplifying characters' feelings and actions, melodrama creates a heightened sense of reality that makes themes of love, loss, and conflict resonate powerfully. This dramatic intensity encourages viewers to connect with the story on a visceral level, making it more memorable and impactful. Ultimately, exaggeration serves to underscore the stakes of the narrative, reinforcing the moral lessons often central to the genre.