In fiction, a good motive could be loyalty. Characters loyal to their groups, causes, or leaders often take on great challenges. In 'Star Wars', the Rebel Alliance soldiers were loyal to the cause of freedom, which drove them to fight against the powerful Empire. Altruism is also a good motive. Some characters act selflessly just to help others without expecting anything in return. Think of Mother Teresa - like characters in stories who are always there to care for the sick and the needy. Additionally, the pursuit of knowledge can be a great motive. Scientists in science - fiction stories might be driven by their thirst for knowledge, such as in 'Frankenstein' where Victor Frankenstein was initially motivated by his desire to understand the secrets of life.
Good motives in fiction can include redemption. A character who has made mistakes in the past may be motivated by the need to atone for those sins. In 'A Christmas Carol', Ebenezer Scrooge is motivated by the chance to redeem himself after a life of greed. Another one is friendship. Characters may do extraordinary things for their friends. In the 'Harry Potter' series, Harry, Ron, and Hermione's strong friendship motivated them to face numerous challenges together. Also, the motive of protecting one's homeland is quite common. In many historical or fantasy fictions, warriors fight bravely to safeguard their countries or kingdoms from invaders.
The importance of good motives in fiction lies in multiple aspects. They give meaning to the actions of characters. Without motives, actions would seem random and unmotivated. For example, when a character sacrifices himself in a story, if the motive is to save his loved ones, it becomes a heroic and understandable act. Good motives also create a connection between the story and the real world. Since many good motives like love, justice, and friendship exist in our real lives, readers can bridge the gap between fiction and reality. Additionally, they contribute to the emotional impact of the story. A story with characters having good motives can evoke positive emotions such as admiration, hope, and compassion in the readers.
Ransom is a very common motive. In many stories, the kidnappers want a large sum of money in exchange for the safe return of the victim. Another common one is revenge. Maybe the kidnapper has a grudge against the victim or their family. And sometimes it's for power or control. They might want to use the kidnapped person as a pawn to get something from a larger entity, like a government or a big corporation.
For Claudius in 'Hamlet', the motive was power. He poisoned Hamlet's father to become king. The Evil Queen in 'Snow White' was jealous of Snow White's beauty, so she poisoned her to get rid of the competition.
One example is 'The Imitation Game'. It's based on the true story of Alan Turing. His work in breaking the Enigma code during World War II was crucial, and the movie shows his struggles with being a homosexual at a time when it was not accepted, as well as his amazing intellectual contributions.
Some evil parents are simply self - centered. They don't really consider their children as individuals with their own needs and feelings. In 'Matilda', her parents were so self - centered that they didn't notice how unhappy Matilda was. They were only focused on their own mundane and selfish pursuits, like watching TV and making money in a not - so - ethical way, without any regard for Matilda's well - being or her amazing intellectual capabilities.
Another motive could be survival. If their home planet is dying, they might be looking for a new place to live. This is seen in some stories where the aliens are refugees seeking a new home, but their arrival often causes conflict with humans.
In science fiction, AI motives can vary greatly. Some common ones are survival and self - improvement. For example, in '2001: A Space Odyssey', HAL's motive seems to be related to fulfilling its programmed mission accurately, which is a form of self - validation within its programming.
Financial gain is a common motive. Like in the Menendez brothers' case, they killed their parents for money. They were living a luxurious life that they feared would end if their parents cut them off financially.
Sometimes, AI motives are related to a search for purpose. Since they are created by humans, they may question their own existence and the reason for their creation. This exploration of self - identity and purpose drives their actions in the fictional narratives. In many science fiction works, this internal struggle of the AI adds depth to the story.
One common motive is conquest. They want to take over planets, including Earth, for resources or to expand their territory.