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Quick questions on Character objectives and motivation explained: O-Level Drama
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the super-objective?Show answer
Above the scene-by-scene objectives sits the super-objective: the character's overriding want across the whole play, the deep goal that connects their smaller objectives. A character whose super-objective is to be respected might, in different scenes, want to win an argument, to be promoted, or to silence a rival, all serving the one deep aim. The super-objective gives a character unity and direction, so identifying it helps both the analysis of the play and the building of a consistent performance.
What is motivation?Show answer
Motivation is the reason behind the want: why the character pursues their objective. Two characters can share an objective but have different motivations, and the difference changes everything. One character might want to win an argument out of pride, another out of fear, another to protect someone else. Motivation makes a want specific and truthful, so an actor who knows not just what their character wants but why can play the pursuit with the right colour and intensity.
What is q1?Show answer
Define a character's objective and their super-objective. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain the difference between an objective and a motivation. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Why does an objective need an obstacle to create drama? [4 marks]
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