International Journal of Language & Literature

Emotional Intelligence and Leading: An Exploration towards Shakespeare’s Othello and Antony and Cleopatra
Dr. Shahida

Abstract
The present paper examines the importance of emotions in managing and balancing personal and social fronts and argues that leaders or rulers require to handle their emotions and passions in an efficient manner for effective leading. We take Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra (1606) and Othello (1603-04) as prototypes to understand the role of emotions and passions in social representation of life. The first section discusses the role of emotions and passions in Leadership Studies. Central to the discussion of emotion and passion remain issues such as conflict of reason in personal and professional endeavor. The second section is an analysis of the characters of Antony, Cleopatra and Othello. This section argues that the fall of these leaders was inspired by their inability to control and manage passions and emotions. The paper concludes with the focus on the need of managing emotions and passions for effective leading.

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