What methods does Bronte use in chapter 15 & 16 to reveal the anguish of Heathcliff?

Bronte presents Nelly Dean as being astonished at Heathcliff’s display of emotion: ‘He bestowed more kisses then ever he gave in his life before I dare say’ and she describes him as beholding a ‘stock of gentleness’ although saying it seems ‘inadequate’. The use of this emotive language contrasts Heathcliff from previous descriptions made of him for instance he is described as a ‘unreclaimed creature’  and Catherine believes his ‘true passion is hate’ but in this chapter his evil traits are forgot about as we experience the coming together of Catherine and Heathcliff. Catherine is also the only one who makes him show signs of agony or despair of any kind. It could be argued that it is not Catherine, but he loves himself in Catherine. As Catherine herself states when she decides to marry Edgar: ‘Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same’.

Catherine speaks eagerly of leaving her current life, and Heathcliff finally comes to her with a ‘strong embrace’, so strong it is almost vicious. His anguish is expressed in a violent way; the way he ‘locked’ her in his arms and Nelly thought she wouldn’t be ‘released alive’ shows his power and manipulation over Catherine but also shows how much he loves her. Bronte also seems to express their love as a form of madness in the way ‘he foamed like a mad dog, and gathered her to him with greedy jealousy’.

Heathcliff tries to conceal his weakness and grief after Catherine dies, holding ‘a silent combat with his inward agony’ but Ellen considers it to be worse than useless, since he only tempts God to wring his ‘heart and nerves.’ After the death, his character starts to develop and becomes even madder then before. He wants Catherine to ‘haunt him’ which can be seen  in two ways: a form of madness linking to the gothic elements of the play or it could be portrayed as how much he loves her and wants to stay with her.  This view is followed by the fact Heathcliff replaces Edgar Linton’s hair with his own ‘black lock’ which are ‘enclosed together’ in Catherine’s locket.