I’m working on motivating my villain(ess) and have found 39 possible motivations. I’m sure there are more, but these should jump start your imagination. They are presented here with a statement from the villain(ess)’s point of view.

1. Romance: I want to marry the princess.
2. Revenge – ruin a hero: I want to ruin the King.
3. To distinguish oneself: I want the princess to respect me.
4. To fit in/gain acceptance: I want to attend the princess’ coronation and eat at her table.
5. Justice: The king killed my mother, so the king must die.
6. Greed – get rich: I want to steal everything from the King’s treasury.
7. Fear: I am afraid that our lands will be stripped bare by this evil king.
8. Desperation: If something doesn’t change in the next week, I will be executed.
9. Social cohesion: Us zombies need to stick together.
10. Desire to better oneself: I was born a peasant, but I will die a king.
11. Power to achieve a goal: I must be king, so I can change the laws about owning property.
12. Escape destiny: At birth, a prophet said I would kill the king; however, I am stealing enough money to escape to another country and avoid that destiny.
13. Achieve destiny: At birth, a prophet said I would kill the king; and that’s my plan.
14. Persecution: Growing up in a wheelchair has been hell.
15. Rivalry: Prince John wants to marry the Princess, but she’s mine.
16. Discovery: I will find out the king’s darkest secret and use it against him.
17. Ambition: I want. . . everything!
18. Survival (deliverance): In the midst of this civil war, I will survive.
19. Self-sacrifice: Someone must stop this evil king and I’ve decided to step up and do it.
20. Love: The princess has stolen my heart; so, I’ll steal her.
21. Hate: The princess is an evil woman; when she becomes my wife, I’ll make her suffer.
22. Conspiracy: I’ve gathered twelve good men to help me overthrow this king.
23. Honor: Men from my city never back down, even if it costs me everything.
24. Dishonor: Men from my city are idiots; I’ll never do things the “right” way.
25. Unnatural affection: I want to marry the princess and take the queen as a lover.
26. Catastrophe: A volcano is going to erupt and when it does, I’ll plunder the city.
27. Grief and loss: When my mother died, I lost all interest in doing good.
28. Rebellion: I’m the leader of the guerrilla forces.
29. Betrayal: I was engaged to the princess, and then she married Prince John.
30. Spread hate and fear: I love hate. Hate, hate, hate.
31. Corrupt everyone: Come join me as I rob the king.
32. Control the kids: If those kids make noise one more time at midnight, I’ll get ’em.
33. Leave me in peace: I never wanted to leave my home town, but since you’ve made me, I’ll show you what’s what.
34. Recover what is lost: The king took my mother’s locket as tribute, and if it’s the last thing I ever do, I’ll get it back.
35. Save humanity: To save humanity, I’ll have to kill the whole army.
36. serve a master (ex. The Fuhrer): I’ll follow King George anywhere, even if it means killing King Phillip.
37. Destroy: Ha! Ha! Ha! I love to burn down houses.
38. Rule part of the world: I want to be King of the Mermaids.
39. Rule all of the world: I will rule the Earth.