Motivation

Definition

Motivation refers to the driving force behind a character's actions and decisions in a narrative. It shapes their desires, goals, and choices, acting as a crucial element in classical dramatic structure and plot development. Understanding a character's motivation provides insight into their behavior, enhances emotional engagement, and propels the story forward by creating conflict and resolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Character motivation can be categorized as intrinsic (internal desires) or extrinsic (external pressures), impacting how they navigate challenges in the story.
2. A well-defined motivation often drives the character's choices, leading to key plot developments such as conflicts and resolutions.
3. Understanding a character's motivation helps audiences connect emotionally with their journey, making them more invested in the outcome of the story.
4. Motivation is often revealed through dialogue, actions, and interactions with other characters, providing depth to the narrative.
5. A shift in a character's motivation can signify pivotal moments in the plot, altering their relationships with others and changing the course of the story.

Review Questions

• How does understanding a character's motivation enhance your comprehension of their actions within the plot?
  • Understanding a character's motivation allows readers or viewers to grasp why characters make certain choices or face specific conflicts. It adds depth to their actions by revealing what drives them, whether it be personal desires or external influences. This comprehension fosters emotional engagement and creates a richer experience as audiences witness how these motivations shape the narrative and lead to character development.
• In what ways does motivation contribute to the development of conflict within classical dramatic structure?
  • Motivation is fundamental in creating conflict because it often stems from opposing desires or goals between characters. For instance, one character's pursuit of love might clash with another's ambition for power. This conflict not only propels the plot but also allows for exploration of deeper themes as characters navigate their motivations and confront each other, ultimately influencing their arcs and resolutions in the story.
• Evaluate how shifts in a character's motivation can impact the overall narrative and its thematic elements.
  • Shifts in a character's motivation can significantly alter the direction of the narrative, leading to unexpected twists and turning points that keep audiences engaged. For example, when a character changes from seeking revenge to seeking redemption, it can pivot the entire story towards themes of forgiveness and personal growth. This transformation not only affects their relationships with other characters but also deepens the thematic exploration of change and morality within the work.

Related terms

Conflict:

A struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot and develops character motivations, often leading to key turning points in the story.

Character Arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of the narrative, often influenced by their motivations and challenges faced.

Theme:

The underlying message or central idea explored in a work, which is often revealed through characters' motivations and their resulting actions.