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Full Download pdf of (eBook PDF) Motivation: Theory, Research, and Application 6th Edition all chapter
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CONTENTS vii
i
CONTENTS xi
Brain Mechanisms of Emotion 366 Summary
The Amygdala, Orbital Frontal Cortex, and Key Terms 388
Cingulate Cortex 366 390
Suggestions for Further Reading
Emotion from a Learning Perspective 369 Web Resources 390
Classical Conditioning and Emotion 369 391
Operant/Instrumental Conditioning and
Emotion 369 PART VI ENDVIEW
Emotional Modeling 370 393
The Preparedness of Emotional Learning 372 Chapter 13
Emotion from a Cognitive Perspective 373 Conclusions
395
Attribution of Emotion 374
Emotion as Primary and Universal 376 References 399
The Tomkins Model 377 Name Index 447
Izard’s Differential Emotions Theory 378
Subject Index 465
The Circumplex Model of Affect 380
Facial Expression and Emotion 384
Preface
e have found the study of motivation to be Motivational theory is sometimes difficult for
W one of the most fascinating and complex topics
in psychology. It is fascinating because people want
students because it requires ways of thinking that
are often quite far removed from everyday experi
to know why they behave die way they do—to ence. For this reason, we have strived to use exam
understand the processes that activate their behavior. ples drawn from day-to-day life whenever possible.
It is complex because it cuts across many specialty We have also tried to keep the language simple and
areas within psychology and draws from each of direct.
them. Thus you will find in this book physiological, This book is divided into three major areas:
learned, and cognitive explanations of behavior. approaches to motivation that emphasize its biolog
Our motives for writing this text are also com ical components, approaches that emphasize its
plex. First, we feel that a motivation text should learned components, and approaches that empha
cover in detail the major approaches suggested by size its cognitive components. Within each of
theorists of varying specialties and backgrounds. A these areas we have tried to present the material
book designed for a first course in motivation ought in such a way that understanding the later chapters
to put forward, as far as possible, an unbiased view does not depend on having read the earlier chap
of motivational theory. Therefore, we have tried to ters. The independence of the chapters allows each
present the material in this text as objectively as instructor to select whichever ones best fit with his
possible, including both the advantages and disad or her particular approach to motivation. This inde
vantages of each of the approaches discussed. pendence also means that chapters can be assigned
It is also our belief that students should be pre in any order that is deemed appropriate.
sented with the basic ideas within a given area, as It hardly seems possible that more than thirty
well as some conclusions about those ideas. Students years have passed since publication of the first
too often become “lost in the data” and miss the edition of this text and yet our understanding
major points. For this reason, we have purposely of motivational processes has changed greatly
avoided an encyclopedic presentation of the major during that period of time. The sixth edition
areas. Instead, we have focused on the kinds of represents a refinement of the progression of
research conducted to test the major ideas; both topics found in the earlier editions. As was the
older “classic” studies as well as newer studies. As case with earlier editions, the sixth edition has
we see it, a textbook on motivation should provide been updated with new information that has
the basic information necessary for a good back become available since the printing of the fifth
ground in motivational processes, while at the same edition. The sixth edition now contains approxi
time allowing instructors the freedom to present mately 1425 references. About 15% of these
additional material of their own choosing related to references are new to the 6th edition and include
the various areas. This book is intended to provide updated information as well as several new topics
the basic information instructors can build upon. that have been added.
PREFACE xiii
CHAPTER 1
Overview: Conceptualizing and
Measuring Motivation and the
Role of Evolution in Motivation
CHAPTER 1
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Motivation and the Role of Evolution in Motivation t5
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4 PARTI OVERVIEW
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FIGURE 1.1 Stimulus-response analysis for motivation. Motivation is inferred when changes in responding follow
from changes in stimulus conditions.
form of a response (R). Suppose, for example, that two. Thus, the concept of motivation serves to link
we take food away from a rat for 48 hours (a form the stimulus change (deprivation) to the behavior
of deprivation) as our stimulus change (S) and change (increased speed of running) and provides
observe how fast that rat subsequently runs in a one possible explanation for the relationship between
maze (R) in order to get food at the goal box (see the stimulus and response, as shown in Figure 1.2.
Figure 1.1.). Further, suppose we observe that our The intervening nature of motivational pro
rat runs faster after 48 hours of deprivation than cesses is one reason motivation is difficult to
when not deprived. In this hypothetical experiment study. We can only infer the existence of motiva
we manipulated hours without food and measured tion by observing changes in the relationships
speed of running, neither of which is motivation. between stimulus conditions and responses. A sec
Motivation, however, can be inferred from the ond difficulty stems from the temporary nature of
change in behavior that occurred, and an indication motivation. Psychologists typically describe the
of its strength can be observed in the rat’s speed of temporary nature of motivation by pointing out
responding in the maze. Thus the concept of that motivation is a performance variable.
motivation helps us understand the change in the When enough motivation is present, behavior is
animal’s behavior (assuming that some other alter performed; when motivation is too low, behavior
native cannot better explain the change), and we is absent. Motivation as a performance variable is
might label the inferred motivational state as hunger. often contrasted with learning, where more perma
The concept of motivation in this example serves as nent changes in behavior occur (although learning
an intervening variable.* An intervening variable obviously also influences performance). We leam
is a concept developed by a researcher that serves to
f
link a stimulus and a response and helps to relate the Stimulus change —*• Intervening variable —► Response 1
48 hrs of hunger faster
o
-
food deprivation motivation running i*
*A variable is any factor that can have more than one value; for ©
example, we can be a little hungry, moderately hungry, or raven
ously hungry. FIGURE 1.2 Motivation as an intervening variable.
6 PARTI OVERVIEW
many things that are not immediately demonstrated no overt responding is apparent; perhaps we are
in behaviors, but the demonstration of learned simply not measuring the response or responses
behavior depends, at least in part, upon adequate being activated. Fortunately, for many motivational
motivation. Indeed every specialty area within psy states, changes in motivation do lead to changes in
chology analyzes situations that involve the combi overt behavior.
nation of specific processes and the perfonnance of A second characteristic often mentioned in
these processes in behavior. regard to the activating properties of motivation is
persistence. Hungry animals persist in their attempts
to get food. Similarly, humans often persist in
Characteristics of Motivation behaving in particular ways even when the chances
of success are vanishingly small. Observation of this
We have discussed motivation as if we knew what continued persistence has led many psychologists to
it is. As noted earlier, each of us has some intuitive regard it as an index of motivation. This index,
feeling for what is called motivation, and yet it has however, is also not free of problems. How persis
proven rather difficult to define. Kleinginna and tent a behavior is depends at least in part on what
Kleinginna (1981), for example, gathered 102 alternative behaviors are available. Suppose, for
defining or criticizing statements concerning moti example, that a hungry monkey has been taught
vation, so it is obvious that theorists differ in their to press a lever for food. For several hours each
views of motivation. Though textbooks on the
day, the monkey is placed in an experimental
topic differ somewhat in their definitions, one com- chamber that contains only the lever. Of course
monly held characteristic of motivation is its the monkey does not have to press the lever, but
activating properties.
there is little else for it to do, and if lever pressing
has been learned, it will tend to persist. On the
Activation other hand, suppose the monkey is placed in a
chamber where several different responses in addi
The activating property of motivation, or activa
tion to lever pressing are possible. If these alterna
tion, is most easily seen in the production of
tive responses lead to different outcomes (e.g., a
behavior. Is the observed organism behaving in
peek out a window or a sip of a sweet-tasting
some way? If it is, then at least some minimal
fluid), lever pressing may become less persistent. In
amount of motivation is assumed to be present. If
no overt behavior is observed, then the motiva multiple-response situations (as often occur in nat
tional level of the organism may be insufficient to uralistic situations) continued persistence probably
trigger behavior. While the occurrence of overt does accurately reflect motivational strength, but,
behavior is generally taken as evidence for motiva as Beck (1983) points out, motivational research
tion, its absence does not necessarily mean that no has not typically examined persistence in situations
motivation is present. For example, consider a rab where more than one response is possible. Thus,
bit that freezes when a predator appears. Is the rab although persistence does seem to be one index ot
bit unmotivated by the presence of this threat? motivation, it is important to realize that other fac
Probably not. In fact, while overt behavior may tors may also contribute to the persistence of
be virtually absent in this situation, behavioral behavior.
indexes such as heart rate, adrenaline output, and Both casual observation and laboratory research
so forth would probably be high. The moral is suggest that energetic behavior is more motivated
clear—though motivation is considered to be than hesitant behavior. One rat that runs faster than
behaviorally activating, the behavior activated another through a maze may also be more moti
may
not always be overt. We must therefore be very vated. Such an hypothesis is more likely to be true
cautious in assuming a lack of motivation when if we also know that the two rats differ in how
hungry they are but not in how well they have
CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW: CONCEPTUALIZING AND MEASURING MOTIVATION 7
learned to run the maze. Vigor of responding, state. The direction that a particular behavior takes
then, is another characteristic typically associated is usually obvious, as in going to the refrigerator
with the presence of motivation. But, as with the when we are hungry; however, when several choices
other characteristics we have examined, vigorous are possible, directionality is sometimes not so clear.
responses do not always mean high motivation. It Suppose that we have two bottles, each filled with a
is possible, for example, to teach a rat that the cor solution of water and sucrose (table sugar) but with
rect response to obtain food is to push down a lever different concentrations. Will a rat be more moti
with a certain amount of force. Suppose that we vated by one of the two concentrations? To deter
designed an experiment where hungry rats had to mine which is the more motivating, we would run a
press the response lever with a good deal of force preference test. The rat is given the opportunity to
for food pellets to be delivered. If someone were to lick fluid from either botde, and we measure the
observe these “forceful” rats, he or she might con amount consumed. If we were to conduct such a
clude that the rats were highly motivated as they test, we would discover that the rat preferred the
banged away at the response lever. However, in more concentrated sugar solution (Young &
this instance the observer would be wrong because Greene, 1953), and we would have some evidence
the vigorous responding would not index motiva that more concentrated solutions of sucrose are more
tion alone; factors such as learning to respond force motivating. In some situations, preference testing is
fully would also be involved. the best way to determine which of several alterna
Overt responding, persistence, and vigor are tives is most motivating because indexes such as per
characteristics of the activation properties of moti sistence or vigor may not indicate differences.
vation, assuming that other factors can be ruled out Indeed, Beck (2000) considers preference to be the
and are, under appropriate conditions, reasonable most basic motivational index.
indexes of the presence of motivation. Activation
is usually considered one of the two major compo
nents of motivation; however, Birch, Atkinson, and
Bongort (1974) suggest that the activation of The Study of Motivation:
behavior should not be a major concern of motiva Categories of Analysis
tional analyses because organisms are continuously
active. These researchers propose that motivational As you proceed through the chapters of this text,
analyses should examine the conditions that lead you will discover that motivation has been studied
the organism to change from one activity to from many different points of view. In general, we
another. In other words, the directionality of behav can order these views along at least four dimensions,
ior is what is important. each containing points representing opposing views,
as shown in Figure 1.3. Although these dimensions
overlap in some respects, the following analysis
Direction attempts to provide a framework within which the
When we are hungry we go to the refrigerator, and student can understand these differing points of
when we are thirsty we go to the water faucet. view. Certainly other frameworks are possible.
How do we decide to direct our behavior in one
way rather than another? Questions of this type
involve a consideration of which mechanism (or Nomothetic versus Idiographic
mechanisms) directs behavior. Although the specific Research may be classified as falling along a contin
way in which this directionality is achieved is uum that proceeds from strictly nomothetic
debated by theorists, many psychologists have approaches at one extreme to strictly idiographic
argued that motivation is involved. Directionality, approaches at the other. The nomothetic
then, is often considered an index of motivational approach involves the development of general or
8 PARTI OVERVIEW
Research has shown (see Chapter 9) that the depending on the motive studied, the best explana
presence of other people often inhibits helping tion may be nomothetic or idiographic, innate or
responses. acquired, internal or external, mechanistic or cog
nitive, or some combination of these.
Mechanistic versus Cognitive
How do the processes that control motivation
work? Are they blind and mechanical, triggered
Levels of Analysis
automatically by changes in internal or external Before closing this discussion of the ways in which
states, or are they controlled by rational, purposive motivation is analyzed, we should mention the dif
thought? As you can probably guess, theorists have ferent levels at which it may be studied. Because
forcefully defended both sides. Some theorists argue motivation cuts across so many specialty areas
that motives such as hunger, thirst, and sex are trig within psychology, the number of levels (and sub-
gered automatically by changes in factors such as levels within levels) at which it is studied is quite
blood sugar level, fluid balance, and hormonal con large. For the sake of brevity, we will group these
centrations. Other researchers point out that various levels into the four main categories of phys
learned motives may also generate behavior outside iological analysis, individual analysis, social analysis,
of awareness. This mechanistic approach assumes and philosophical analysis.
that changes in specific factors activate circuits that
in turn motivate the organism to engage in behav
ior. Neither conscious awareness nor intent on the Physiological Analysis
part of the organism is assumed. Researchers who Though physiological analyses of motivation have
embrace the mechanistic view are often interested been conducted using both humans and animals,
in internal need states and innate patterns of behav research with animals is the most prevalent. Typi
ior. In contrast, other researchers, more often inter cally, this level of analysis is concerned with the
ested in externally motivated states and acquired brain’s control of motivated states. Researchers,
motives, believe that motivational processes are for example, are interested in the various brain
cognitive in nature. The cognitive approach structures involved in the triggering of motivation,
assumes that the manner in which information is the way in which motivationally important infor
interpreted influences motive states. For example, mation is processed by groups of cells, and the neu-
attributing failure at a task to its difficulty is likely rotransmitters within the brain that are involved in
to have a different influence on future motivation the alteration of motivational states. Thus we can
than attributing failure to lack of ability. The com identify many sublevels within the physiological
plexity of motivation is such that it is probably safe analysis of motivation.
to assume that all approaches mentioned have some Studies of the role of the nervous system in
validity. In certain situations, behavior seems best motivation often require electrical, chemical, or
understood as motivated by internal states that acti surgical manipulation of carefully mapped brain
vate the organism to respond in genetically deter areas. For example, in a now classic study con
mined ways. Other behaviors seem clearly the result ducted in 1954 by James Olds and Peter Milner,
of external information that is acted upon in light of thin wires called electrodes were introduced into
acquired experiences. Various combinations of various pans of a rat’s brain. These electrodes were
approaches fit our observations of still other beha designed so that portions of the brain could be
viors. To summarize, at this time no one approach stimulated electrically by the experimenters.
would appear to be better than any other in explaining The experimental situation was so arranged
motivation in its entirety. Some approaches explain that if the rats pressed a lever current would be
particular motive states better than others! however, applied to the electrode. To everyone’s amazement,
10 PART I OVERVIEW
rats with electrodes implanted in the septal region groups of brain cells (called neurons) can be
would press the lever many hundreds of times per recorded by an electroencephalograph (EEG),
hour in order to receive this weak electrical current. while small groups of cells and even single neurons
By conventional standards of conditioning, the can be recorded through the use of depth electro
electrical stimulation would have to be judged as des. Positron-emission tomography (PET)
a powerful reward. One rat pressed the lever scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI,
more than 7,500 times in a 12-hour period while fMRI) are also used to study the brain. Such studies
another responded 1,920 times in one hour. When have been used to see what areas of the brain are
the electrical current was turned off, bar pressing involved with various tasks. A PET scan measures
quickly ceased; when it was turned on again, bar the metabolic activity of different brain regions, an
pressing quickly resumed. The rats appeared to be MRI enables one to visualize areas of the brain, and
highly motivated to obtain the electrical stimulation an fMRI allows one to both visualize the brain
and worked for long periods of time to obtain it. and detect differences in metabolism in various
The subjective impression one gained from observ parts of the brain (Carlson, 2007).
ing these self-stimulating rats was that the electrical Though a particular researcher will often use
stimulation was quite pleasurable. only one or two physiological techniques, data
Since the discovery of self-stimulation sites in gathered by all these techniques should be consis
the brain by Olds and Milner, hundreds of addi tent. If lesion techniques have shown that a brain
tional studies have been conducted. The effects area is involved with feeding, then chemical or
have proven to be much more complex than first electrical stimulation of this area in other expen-
supposed; for our purposes in this chapter, how mental subjects ought to elicit food-related activi
ever, this research indicates one method of gaining ties. Similarly, recordings from this brain area
knowledge about motivation. Direct manipulation during feeding behavior should indicate altered
of the brain by electrical stimulation has shown us activity within these cells. Unfortunately, the con
that brain circuits exist that may be active when vergence of infonnation from different experimen
reward occurs. Circuits that appear to have a pun tal techniques has not always been as consistent as
ishing effect on behavior have also been noted (e.g., one would like. The reasons for this lack of consis-
Delgado, Roberts, & Miller, 1954). -tency are complex and remain a problem for under
Electrical stimulation of the brain is only one of standing motivation at a physiological level of
several techniques used in the study of motivation analysis.
at the physiological level. Researchers can also
study motivation by chemically stimulating the brain
after inserting a minute tube (called a canula) into a Individual Analysis
specific brain region, injecting a solution, and not The study of motivation at the level of the individ
ing how motivation changes as a result. Addition ual involves research aimed at understanding moti
ally, researchers sometimes create a lesion within vational changes that occur to a person as a result ot
the brain by surgically removing some portion of internal or external conditions. Analysis at this level
it and observing how (or if) motivation is altered. occurs about equally often in animal and human
These techniques have revealed that a wide range research. In animal research deprivation is often
of motivated behaviors, including feeding, drink used to alter the motivational state of the organism;
ing, sexual arousal, fear, and aggression, can be for example, one might deprive a rat of food for
altered by manipulation of specific brain areas. 48 hours and observe how its behavior changes as
Finally, we should note that it is possible to record a result. In research conducted with humans,
the brain’s natural electrical activity during various researchers may attempt to induce a motivational
motivated states. The general activity of large state through specific instructions. In some
CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW: CONCEPTUALIZING AND MEASURING MOTIVATION 11
achievement studies, for example, researchers stim particular interest was the finding that the children
ulated the need for achievement by telling the par not only modeled the observed aggressive behaviors
ticipants that they had failed an important task but they also performed many aggressive behaviors
(McClelland, Clark, Roby, & Atkinson, 1949). of their own. The group that had observed the
More simply, human participants are sometimes nonaggressive model, however, showed little
asked, using a survey technique such as a question aggressive behavior. Bandura’s research is important
naire, to indicate their own motives as they per for an understanding of motivation at the level of
ceive them. One such technique developed by the individual because it strongly suggests that some
Rotter (1966) has provided theorists with consider motivated behaviors are learned, quite simply,
able insight into how people view themselves. through observation. Thus, if our parents or peers
Even though research at this level is conducted behave aggressively, we will learn to behave this
in order to provide insight into the important moti way also. If, on the other hand, the models we
vational factors that influence the behavior of the observe show us that they are motivated to work
individual, most research of this type is actually hard, pursue excellence, and be successful, we are
done with groups of individuals. Testing several likely to be motivated in similar ways.
individuals increases the likelihood of finding an
effect and taking the nomothetic approach; it is
proper to presume that behavioral changes detected Social Analysis
in several individuals (if properly sampled) are also A moment’s reflection should quickly reveal that
present in people in general. An example of just our behavior often differs when we are in the com
such an approach is early research conducted by pany of others. Behavior in particular situations
Bandura and his associates concerning how aggres such as the classroom is generally predictable too:
sion may be learned in children (Bandura, 1973). students take notes, ask questions, and sometimes
In a now well-known study, Bandura showed a fall asleep; professors lecture, answer questions,
group of nursery-school children a film in which an and tend to write illegibly on the chalkboard.
adult attacked a life-size Bobo doll in unusual ways. These same individuals, however, behave rather
For example, the adult it the Bobo doll with differently at parties. Students and professors may
a large mallet while saying such things as drink alcoholic beverages, argue politics, and play-
“Socko!”and “Pow!” A second group of children idiotic games that they would not even consider in
saw the same behaviors performed by a cartoon other circumstances. Our motivations for engaging
character (actually an adult dressed up in a cat in these rather different sets of behavior are often
suit). A third group observed the aggressive beha studied by social psychologists. These psychologists
viors performed by a live adult while a fourth group tell us that our behaviors are considerably influ
saw a live model behave in a calm, nonaggressive enced by both situational factors (such as
manner toward the Bobo doll. Shortly afterward, whether we are in the classroom or at a party)
the children were led to a room containing several and by the presence of others. As just one exam-
different toys, among them the Bobo doll. The pie, confomiity studies conducted by Solomon
children’s behavior was observed both for the Asch in the mid-20th century (1952, 1965) showed
novel forms of aggression depicted by the adult that approximately 80% of the participants he tested
and for overall aggression. Results of the experi confonned to a group decision at least once even
ment showed that the live model’s behavior was though that decision was clearly wrong. Recent
imitated more often than the filmed or cartoon studies have confinned that the level of conformity
model’s behavior. However, significant imitation shown by people has not changed much today
of the aggressive behavior of both the filmed (Bond & Smith, 1996). When interviewed after
model and the cartoon character also occurred. Of the experiment, many participants indicated that
M
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cruel et dur. Il se dirige vers Arles, par le chemin qui lui paraît le plus
sûr, et il semble qu’il ait des ailes. Il a de bons guides, et l’obscurité
favorise grandement son départ. Vingt mille Africains et Espagnols
purent ainsi échapper à Renaud.
Quant à ceux qui furent occis par lui, par ses frères, par les deux
fils du sire de Vienne, par les sept cents hommes d’armes obéissant
à Renaud, par Sansonnet, ou qui, dans leur fuite, se noyèrent dans
la Seine, celui qui pourrait les compter compterait aussi les feuilles
que Zéphire et Flore font éclore en avril.
D’aucuns pensent que Maugis prit une grande part à la victoire
de cette nuit, non pas en arrosant la campagne du sang sarrasin, ni
par le nombre des ennemis qu’il occit de sa propre main, mais en
faisant sortir, par son art, les esprits infernaux des grottes du Tartare,
et cela en si grande quantité, qu’un royaume deux fois grand comme
la France n’aurait pu lever autant de bannières ni de lances.
On ajoute qu’il fit entendre tant d’instruments métalliques, tant de
tambours, tant de bruits divers, tant de hennissements de chevaux,
tant de cris et de tumulte de fantassins, que plaines, monts et
vallées devaient en retentir jusqu’aux contrées les plus lointaines, et
que les Maures en éprouvèrent une telle peur, qu’ils s’empressèrent
de prendre la fuite.
Le roi d’Afrique n’oublia pas que Roger était blessé et qu’il gisait
encore gravement malade sur son lit. Il s’enquit d’un destrier à
l’allure la plus douce qu’il put trouver, fit placer le blessé dessus, et
après l’avoir mis en sûreté, il le fit porter sur son navire et conduire
doucement jusqu’à Arles, où il avait donné rendez-vous à tous ses
gens.
Ceux qui s’enfuirent devant Renaud et Charles — et ils furent, je
crois, cent mille ou à peu près — cherchèrent, à travers champs,
bois, montagnes et vallons, à échapper aux mains des populations
franques. Mais la plupart trouvèrent tout chemin fermé, et rougirent
de leur sang l’herbe verte et les routes blanches. Il n’en arriva point
ainsi du roi de Séricane, qui avait sa tente loin des autres.
En apprenant que c’est le sire de Montauban qui a assailli ainsi le
camp, il ressent en son cœur une telle allégresse, qu’il en saute çà
et là de joie. Il remercie le souverain Auteur de lui avoir fourni
l’occasion si rare de s’emparer cette nuit de Bayard, ce coursier qui
n’a pas son pareil.
Il y avait longtemps — je crois que vous l’avez déjà lu ailleurs —
que ce roi désirait avoir la bonne Durandal à son côté, et chevaucher
ce coursier accompli. Il était jadis venu en France pour cela à la tête
de cent mille hommes d’armes. Il avait alors défié Renaud au
combat, pour la possession de ce cheval.
Et il s’était rendu sur le rivage de la mer où la bataille devait avoir
lieu ; mais Maugis en faisant partir malgré lui son cousin qu’il avait
embarqué sur un navire, était venu tout déranger. Il serait trop long
de dire toute l’histoire. Depuis ce jour, Gradasse avait tenu le gentil
paladin pour lâche et couard.
Maintenant que Gradasse apprend que c’est Renaud qui a
assailli le camp, il s’en réjouit. Il revêt ses armes, il monte sur son
cheval et s’en va cherchant son ennemi à travers l’obscurité. Autant
de guerriers il rencontre, autant il en couche à terre, frappant
indifféremment de sa bonne lance les gens de France ou de Libye.
Il va de çà de là, cherchant Renaud, l’appelant de sa voix la plus
forte, et se portant toujours vers les endroits où il voit le plus de
morts amoncelés. Enfin ils se trouvent en face l’un de l’autre l’épée à
la main, car leurs lances avaient été brisées en mille morceaux, et
les éclats en avaient volé jusqu’au char constellé de la Nuit.
Quand Gradasse reconnaît le vaillant paladin, non à son
enseigne, mais aux coups terribles qu’il porte, ainsi qu’à Bayard qui
semble à lui seul être maître de tout le camp, il se met sans retard à
lui reprocher — conduite indigne de lui — de ne s’être pas présenté
sur le champ du combat, au jour fixé, pour vider leur différend.
Il ajoute : « — Tu espérais sans doute, en te cachant ce jour-là,
que nous ne nous rencontrerions plus jamais en ce monde ; or, tu
vois que je t’ai rejoint. Quand même tu descendrais sur les rives les
plus extrêmes du Styx, quand même tu monterais au Ciel, sois
certain que je t’y suivrais, si tu emmenais avec toi ton destrier au
séjour de la lumière, ou là-bas dans le monde aveugle.
« Si tu n’as pas le cœur de te mesurer avec moi, et si tu
comprends que tu n’es pas de force égale ; si tu estimes la vie plus
que l’honneur, tu peux sans péril te tirer d’affaire, en me laissant de
bonne grâce ton coursier. Tu pourras vivre ensuite, si vivre t’est
cher ; mais tu vivras à pied, car tu ne mérites pas de posséder un
cheval, toi qui déshonores à ce point la chevalerie. — »
Ces paroles avaient été dites en présence de Richardet et de
Guidon le sauvage. Tous deux tirent en même temps leur épée pour
châtier le Sérican. Mais Renaud s’oppose à leur intervention, et ne
souffre point qu’ils lui fassent cet affront. Il dit : « — Ne suis-je donc
pas bon pour répondre à qui m’outrage, sans avoir besoin de vous ?
— »
Puis, se retournant vers le païen, il dit : « — Écoute, Gradasse ;
je veux, si tu consens à m’entendre, te prouver clairement que je
suis allé sur le bord de la mer pour te rejoindre. Puis, je te
soutiendrai les armes à la main, que je t’ai dit vrai de tout point, et
que tu en auras menti chaque fois que tu diras que j’ai manqué aux
lois de la chevalerie.
« Mais je te prie instamment, avant que nous nous livrions au
combat, d’écouter jusqu’au bout mes justes et vraies excuses, afin
que tu ne m’adresses plus des reproches non mérités. Ensuite,
j’entends que nous nous disputions Bayard à pied, seul à seul, en un
lieu solitaire, comme tu l’as toi-même désiré. — »
Le roi de Séricane était courtois, comme tout cœur magnanime
l’est d’ordinaire. Il fut satisfait d’entendre la pleine justification du
paladin. Il vint avec lui sur la rive du fleuve, et là, Renaud,
simplement, lui raconta sa véridique histoire et prit tout le ciel à
témoin.
Puis il fit appeler le fils de Bauves, lequel était parfaitement au
courant de l’affaire. Celui-ci raconta de nouveau, en présence des
deux champions, comment il avait usé d’un enchantement, sans en
dire ni plus ni moins. Renaud reprit alors : « — Ce que je t’ai prouvé
par témoin, je veux t’en donner maintenant par les armes, et quand il
te plaira, une preuve encore plus évidente. — »
Le roi Gradasse qui ne voulait pas, pour une nouvelle querelle,
abandonner la première, accepta sans contester les excuses de
Renaud, bien que doutant encore si elles étaient vraies ou fausses.
Les deux adversaires ne fixèrent plus le lieu du combat sur le doux
rivage de Barcelone, comme ils l’avaient fait la première fois, mais ils
convinrent de se rencontrer le lendemain matin, près d’une fontaine
voisine,
Où Renaud ferait amener le cheval, lequel serait placé à égale
distance des combattants. Si le roi tuait Renaud, ou s’il le faisait
prisonnier, il devait prendre le destrier sans autre empêchement.
Mais si Gradasse trouvait la mort dans le combat, ou si, ne pouvant
plus se défendre, il se rendait prisonnier, Renaud lui reprendrait
Durandal.
Avec plus d’étonnement et de douleur que je n’ai dit, Renaud
avait appris de la belle Fleur-de-Lys que son cousin était hors de sa
raison. Il avait appris également ce qu’il était advenu au sujet de ses
armes, et le conflit qui s’en était suivi. Il savait enfin que c’était
Gradasse qui possédait cette épée que Roland avait illustrée par
mille et mille exploits.
Après que les deux chevaliers se furent mis d’accord, le roi
Gradasse rejoignit ses serviteurs, bien qu’il eût été engagé par le
paladin à venir loger chez lui. Dès qu’il fut jour, le païen s’arma, et
Renaud en fit autant. Tous deux arrivèrent à la fontaine près de
laquelle ils devaient combattre pour Bayard et Durandal.
Tous les amis de Renaud paraissaient redouter beaucoup l’issue
de la bataille qu’il devait soutenir seul à seul contre Gradasse, et ils
s’en lamentaient d’avance. Gradasse possédait une grande
hardiesse, une force prodigieuse et une expérience consommée.
Maintenant qu’il avait au côté l’épée du fils du grand Milon, chacun
tremblait de crainte pour Renaud.
Plus que tous les autres, le frère de Vivien redoutait ce combat. Il
se serait encore volontiers entremis pour le faire manquer, mais il
craignait d’encourir l’inimitié du sire de Montauban, qui lui en voulait
encore d’avoir empêché la première rencontre en l’enlevant sur un
navire.
Mais, tandis que tous les siens sont plongés dans le doute, la
crainte ou la douleur, Renaud s’en va calme et joyeux de se
disculper d’un soupçon injuste qui lui avait semblé si dur, et de
pouvoir imposer silence à ceux de Poitiers et de Hautefeuille. Il s’en
va plein de confiance et sûr en son cœur de remporter l’honneur du
triomphe.
Quand les deux champions furent arrivés quasi en même temps
à la claire fontaine, ils se saluèrent et s’accueillirent l’un et l’autre
avec un visage aussi serein, aussi bienveillant, que si Gradasse eût
été le parent ou l’ami du chevalier de la maison de Clermont. Mais je
veux remettre à une autre fois de raconter comment ils en vinrent
aux mains.
CHANT XXXII.