What is character motivation?

We often hear the phrase “character motivation” and wonder what it is. Character motivation is attached to general life. But it is also used in case of writing such as fiction writing, drama, movies, plays and others. So, what is character motivation? Character motivation is what that motivates characters to behave in a particular way. Character motivation describes why a particular character behaves in a specific way. Not all characters behave in the same way. They behave differently in the same situation and also in different situations. Their behavior is governed by their character motivation. Some characters may behave in a positive way, some in the negative way and some may be neutral. All these behaviors are pre-decided by character motivation. Character motivation is what that propels inside characters. It propels the personality of the character. Let's take an example, In a novel or a play, character motivation explains why a particular character of the novel or the play, act in the way they do. Suppose a character, John hates Miranda because according to the novel (play), Miranda insulted John in the past, which he could not forget. So, inability to forget the insult caused by Miranda is the character motivation for John for hating her. Character motivation is very important because it provides the character a reason to do something. If there is no reason to do something, people will not be able to believe in the characters. Suppose, characters in a novel, do something without any reason, then the viewers will not be able to believe them because there is no reason for their behavior. Likewise, in real life also the same rule applies. If your character (i.e. you) do something without any reason (motivation), people surrounding you on interacting with you, will not be able to understand you and will not believe you, because you behaved in a way without any reason. Character motivation creates action and individualizes character. Without character motivation, characters will not be able to react in a particular fashion and so all of them will look similar. Character motivation results from many different factors. These factors may include upbringing, ethics, aspirations in life, thinking habits, environment and others. All these factors in the individual affect character motivation. Depending on these factors, a character will behave or react in a particular fashion. Character motivation can be especially interesting for authors, novelists, playwrights and writers, which will give them a reason to understand why characters behave in a particular fashion in real life. They will be able to make the characters more consistent and believable with the help of their knowledge about character motivation. Use of character motivation will help them to make the character more congruent and true.