Motivation

Definition

Motivation refers to the driving force behind a character's actions and decisions throughout a story. It's what compels characters to pursue their goals, influencing their choices and growth along their journey. Understanding motivation is crucial because it shapes character arcs, defines relationships between protagonists and antagonists, influences script feedback, and reveals the depth of character backstories.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A character's motivation can evolve throughout the story, leading to a more dynamic character arc as they face challenges and obstacles.
2. In the relationship between protagonist and antagonist, conflicting motivations drive the central conflict, making each character's pursuit of their goals compelling.
3. Feedback on a script often highlights whether characters' motivations are clear and believable, impacting audience engagement.
4. Character backstories provide context for their motivations, revealing past experiences that shape current desires and actions.
5. Strong motivation can lead to relatable characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their journeys.

Review Questions

• How does understanding a character's motivation enhance the development of their character arc?
  • Understanding a character's motivation is key to developing a compelling character arc because it provides insight into why they make specific choices. As characters face obstacles related to their motivations, they can experience growth or transformation. This progression helps create a satisfying narrative that resonates with audiences, as they witness the character evolve in response to their challenges.
• Discuss how conflicting motivations between protagonist and antagonist can create tension in a story.
  • Conflicting motivations between protagonist and antagonist are central to generating tension in a story. When the protagonist has clear goals that clash with the antagonist's objectives, it creates a dynamic conflict that drives the narrative forward. This struggle not only highlights the stakes for both characters but also engages the audience as they become invested in which side will ultimately prevail.
• Evaluate the role of character backstory in shaping motivations and how it affects audience perception.
  • Character backstory plays a crucial role in shaping motivations by providing context for why characters behave as they do. A well-developed backstory reveals past experiences that influence present desires and actions. This depth allows audiences to empathize with characters, understanding their motivations more fully. As viewers connect with these elements, they are more likely to be emotionally invested in the story's outcome, enhancing overall engagement.

Related terms

Desire:

A specific want or need that propels a character toward their goal, often linked to their motivations.

Conflict:

The struggle between opposing forces in a story, often arising from differing motivations of characters.

Goal: The end result that a character seeks to achieve, which is closely tied to their motivation.