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{{trope}}
[[File:
{{quote|"''Your father was captain of a starship for twelve minutes. He saved eight '''hundred''' lives, including your mother's -- and yours. I dare you to do better.''"
|'''Captain Pike''', ''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]'' (2009)}}
[[The Hero]] is called upon to step up to the plate and be awesome. Sounds a lot like the [[Call to Adventure]], you say? Well yes, the two are closely related. The difference is, an Adventure Call is more like, "Hey! You totally want to take on this quest to slay [[The Dragon]] and save the [[
▲{{quote|"''Your father was captain of a starship for twelve minutes. He saved eight '''hundred''' lives, including your mother's -- and yours. I dare you to do better.''"|'''Captain Pike''', ''[[Star Trek (Film)|Star Trek]]'' (2009)}}
▲[[The Hero]] is called upon to step up to the plate and be awesome. Sounds a lot like the [[Call to Adventure]], you say? Well yes, the two are closely related. The difference is, an Adventure Call is more like, "Hey! You totally want to take on this quest to slay [[The Dragon]] and save the [[Distressed Damsel|princess]] because it sure beats washing cars and sipping lattes all day (and you might even get a nice check, or even more, out of the deal)."
A Badass Dare is more like, "The Dragon has already [[Curb Stomp Battle|stomped out]] a squadron of fighter jets and a bunch of tanks. And now he's getting ready to eat the princess. But you're our only hope. Now yeah, you can sit here and just keep sipping lattes and washing cars. Or you can take this [[BFG]]/[[BFS]] and save the world!"
The
While the [[Call to Adventure]] usually starts off [[
Done right, this can resemble a 30-second [[Rousing Speech]]. And thus be highly awesome. Done wrong, well you know [[Narm|what you get.]]
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Compare a [[World of Cardboard Speech]].
Not to be confused with a [["Weird Al" Yankovic|dare to be stupid]].
{{examples}}
== Advertising ==
* Essentially all military recruitment ads in every country ever. The tendency is for such ads to demonstrate how [[Badass]] you will become if you join the army/navy and even plays up how tough the training is in order to appeal the [[I Just Want to Be Badass]] desire in young men. This kind of makes sense since the job is usually quite dangerous and not especially well paid when you start out, so few people would be willing to sign up just to make a living.
** Also applies to wartime
== Anime and Manga ==
* In ''[[Code Geass]]'', Zero's rescue of Todoh and his fellow rebels from the execution they had come to accept is accompanied by a lecture on the nature of miracles. [[Adult Swim]] accurately described this scene as Zero berating Todoh for "not being badass enough."
* At the beginning of ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'', Shinji Ikari receives a challenge like this from his father Gendo, who needs him to pilot EVA-01 to save the city from an Angel attack already in progress. Shinji, however, is 14 ([[Shrinking Violet|sensitive and easily frightened at that]]), hasn't seen his father in years by the latter's choice, and was expecting some sort of reconciliation scene. Neither lives up to the other's expectations, then or later.
** The dare is amplified by the [[Kick the Dog|threat to send Rei back into the fray]] even if it kills her.
* ''[[Mahou Sensei Negima]]'' has Negi on the receiving end of several of these, usually from Evangeline (or a {{spoiler|psuedo-Eva created from his memories}}). Evangeline also gives one of these to Asuna to see if she can survive Eva's [[Training
** As both Negi and Asuna have discovered, it could be worse: she could like you.
* Kamina's whole character in ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]'' is pretty much based around providing this sort of motivation to the other characters. Hell, this could be considered basically the entire message of the series, seeing as all the incredibly awesome stuff they accomplish is caused simply by daring to a [[Badass]].
* Although it's not a straight example, the soundtrack version of [[Theme Music Power-Up|Fly Away]] from ''[[Panty
* ''[[Higurashi no Naku Koro
{{quote|
** Doubles as a [[Rousing Speech]]
* In ''[[
{{quote|
== Comic Books ==
* ''[[Dan Dare]]'': A gloriously literal example occurs in Dan's exploits. With the chips truly down, the evil Venusian mastermind, the Mekon, gloatingly taunts Dan over a video link to his ship:
{{quote|
'''Dan Dare:''' "Dare"'s ''My family name'', Mekon...'''I'm on my way!''' }}
* Marv in ''[[Sin City]]'' is already a badass but when he learns that the Roark family is behind the death of Goldie, he considers skipping town all together. Since he has few social ties, there was a good chance he could escape. Otherwise, death was certain if he stayed in Basin City. He eventually decides to through with his [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]] despite knowing he won't survive.
* Fan-favorite ''[[The Transformers (
{{quote|
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* ''[[Braveheart]]'': William Wallace points out that while the Scotsmen could very well run away and live, they should stay and fight because "Every man dies, but not every man truly ''lives''". Also a [[Rousing Speech]].
* ''[[Iron Man (
{{quote|
'''Stark''': They'll kill me. You. And even if they don't I'll be dead in a week anyway.
'''Yinsen''': (almost smirking) Well, then....this is an important week for you, isn't it?? }}
** Done even better when a news report shows the devastation being caused by the terrorists. The newswoman says, "....these villagers are left to wonder, WHO; if anyone, will help..." At that moment an infuriated Stark blows out a window with his brand new repulsors in inarticulate rage... and then after thinking a second, [[Tranquil Fury|very calmly]] blows out all the ''other'' windows in the room as if he were in a shooting gallery. Cut to the [[Lock and Load Montage]], [[Theme Music Power-Up|leitmotif blaring]], as he dons the Mark III suit for the first time and flies off to Afghanistan to kick some ass.
* The quote at the top comes from the 2009 ''[[Star Trek (
** {{spoiler|Spock Prime}} telling Kirk to "re"-take the Enterprise can also be this. I mean, what's more badass than {{spoiler|trying to piss off a Vulcan?}}
*** From the same movie. "Either they're going down; or we are."
** It was done before in ''[[Star Trek II:
{{quote|
'''McCoy:''' Get back your command Jim, before you become a part of this collection. Before you really do grow old. }}
* ''[[Inglourious Basterds]]''
{{quote|
* ''[[Back to The Future]]'' - George McFly's mantra that "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish ''anything''" isn't really one of these, until his son tells him this in a desperate attempt to get him to marry his mother and thus ensure his existence.
** Subverted in ''Part III'', the local townsfolk of 1885 Hill Valley attempt to use something like this on Marty to get him to duel with Mad Dog Tannen, basically telling him that if he doesn't face him "he'll be branded a coward forever". However, Marty proves his aweseomeness by ''not'' going through with the duel. And further subverted in that he still manages to kick Tannen's ass.
* Alfred does these highly effectively in the new [[The Dark Knight Saga|Batman movies]]...
{{quote|
'''''[[The Dark Knight]]''''': '''Bruce''': People are dying, Alfred. What would you have me do?
'''Alfred''': Endure, Master Wayne. Take it. They'll hate you for it, but that's the point of Batman. He can be the outcast. He can make the choice that no one else can make: The right choice. }}
** Ducard started the Badass Dare trend with his introduction to Bruce Wayne in ''[[Batman Begins]]''
{{quote|
* This trope is truly a staple of the [[Superhero]] genre. Consider ''[[X
* Captain Mal Reynolds "Aim to Misbehave" [[Rousing Speech|speech]] to the crew of the ''[[
* In ''[[Mission: Impossible|Mission: Impossible II]]'', after [[Anthony Hopkins]] character gives Hunt his latest oddball mission, Hunt points out that what he's being asked to do is 'pretty difficult'. In what is possibly one of the movie's best lines, he responds, "Well, it's not called "Mission: Difficult", Mr. Hunt. It's "Mission: Impossible"."
* ''[[Star Wars]]'': "Use the Force, Luke.....Let go Luke....Luke -- trust me". Complete with [[Rousing Music]].
** One of the teaser trailers for ''[[The Phantom Menace]]'' had Qui-Gon deliver one of these, presumably to Anakin:
{{quote|
* ''[[Terminator]]'': "On your feet soldier!" Sarah Connor to Kyle Reese.
* ''[[Men of Honor]]'': To future [[Handicapped Badass]] and eventual Master Chief Carl Brashear:
{{quote|
* This is essentially the message of ''[[Wanted]]''.
** [[The Movie]] anyway. The comic book is more along the lines of "Dare To Be A [[Complete Monster]]".
* "You're a '''hero''' for GOD's sake, [[Hancock]]! And you will ''never'' be at peace till you accept that."
* Lennox to Sam Witwicky in the climax of ''[[Transformers (
** Even earlier, Sam to Micheala. "Twenty years from now, when you look back on your life, don't you want to be able to say you had the courage to get in the car?"
* ''[[Crimson Tide]]'': Lt. Cmdr. Hunter telling a young radio operator that he needs radio communication. Oddly, he's quoting ''[[
{{quote|
* ''[[Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves]]'': [[Morgan Freeman|Azeem]] gives a pretty badass one to an entire crowd of peasants in the climax:
{{quote|
** Robin Hood himself puts in a good one earlier, when he convinces the refugees of Sherwood to join him against the Sherrif:
{{quote|
* The chorus from the [[Crowning Music of Awesome|opening song]] in ''[[
{{quote|
''The odds will betray you''
''And [[James Bond (
* ''[[Henry V]]'': The St. Crispin's Day speech.
{{quote|
''For he to-day that sheds his blood with me''
''Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,''
''This day shall gentle his condition;''
''And gentlemen in England now-a-bed''
''Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,''
''And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks''
''That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."'' }}
* ''[[Undercover Brother]]'', when everything seems to be going wrong and Lance, the 'token white guy' in the organisation, starts panicking:
{{quote|
* The musical number "La Resistance" in ''[[South Park]]: [[The Movie|Bigger, Longer and Uncut]]'' subverts this, in that it tends to labour a bit too much on the horrific potential tortures that await the three heroes, with the result that it ends up inspiring everyone except the three people are actually being called upon to be badasses.
{{quote|
And serve it to a pig
And though it hurts you'll laugh
And dance a dickless jig... }}
* There are several of these in ''Rough Riders,'' most noticeably when [[Dirty Coward|Nash]] stops malingering and [[Let's Get Dangerous|rejoins his company]] in time to take Little Round Top.
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== Religion/Mythology ==
* ''[[
{{quote|
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" }}
== Literature ==
* Margo Smith of [[
== Live Action TV ==
* In ''[[Battlestar Galactica
{{quote|
* ''[[Chuck]]'':
** Sarah Walker gives one of these to Chuck at the end of the first episode.
{{quote|
** Jeff does this to get Lester to perform "Africa" in Chuck vs. The Best Friend. He even quote's Eminem's "Lose Yourself".
{{quote|
* ''[[
{{quote|
** One of the greatest dares from ''TNG'', the episode "''Ethics''" in which Worf is paralyzed and as a Klingon decides to commit suicide rather than live an invalid. He asks his best friend, Riker to assist him and further tries to guilt-trip Riker into doing it, saying that a Klingon must protect his honor. Riker unleashes a speech that's part
{{quote|
** "Q Who" (aka The One With the Borg) has an incredible one from Q, of all people, basically telling Picard that even though the galaxy is filled with unstoppably powerful monsters that can kick your ass effortlessly, it's still too awesome ''not'' to keep exploring... [[The Colbert Report|if you have the]] ''[[The Colbert Report|balls]]'':
{{quote|
** "Let us make sure that history never forgets... the name... ENTERPRISE."
** And from the classic Trek episode "Return to Tomorrow", when Kirk wants to make contact with a race of powerful disembodied minds:
{{quote|
** This makes his advice to his direct successor in ''[[
* ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]:'' Daniel Linderman offers Nathan Petrelli a choice between an ordinary life and "a life of meaning".
** And of course, the classic line from Hiro to Ando:
{{quote|
* In Season 2 of ''[[
{{quote|
** President Taylor uses one of these to convince Dalia Hassan to take control of the IRK's government and finish the peace. Consider all that happened before, it could only literally be a
* The ''[[Doctor Who]]'' episode "The Eleventh Hour" has a good one, when the Doctor challenges Jeff to "be magnificent":
{{quote|
''{{spoiler|[[Porn Stash|And clear your Internet history]].}}'' }}
** This has pretty much been the Doctor's ''modus operandi'' since the get-go: convincing ordinary people to be extraordinary and save their world.
*** Churchill got one too (how many shows can you say that for), when the Doctor was indisposed, inspiring Bracewell to take the fight to the Daleks, in characteristic Churchill style.
{{quote|
** The Doctor does the same again in "Cold Blood", daring the humans and reptilians to reconcile and negotiate rather than give in to their inclinations to just wage war on each other. Sort of a peaceful badassery, but still counts.
{{quote|
* The pilot of ''[[The Unit]]'' features two of these, the first from Sergeant Major Jonas Blaine to new guy Bob Brown, getting him ready for his first mission. "The Universe has conspired to bring you here to this moment. You've been wanting this moment your whole life. Well, here it is.". This is then followed by Blaine's wife Molly talking to Brown's wife Kim, who are far away back at the base. Kim is mightily frustrated by the Unit lifestyle and is ready to leave, regardless of what it does to her husband's career in Special Forces. Molly basically tells her to stop whining and chill out and reconsider; resulting in the page quote at the top. The rest of speech is even more brilliant.
* In the pilot of ''[[
{{quote|
** Rush gives one of these to Eli later, oddly as part of a pep talk to snap Eli out of his current funk ({{spoiler|namely, his recently-dead girlfriend}}).
{{quote|
* The final episode of ''[[
{{quote|
* In the penultimate episode of ''[[
{{quote|
* G'kar in ''[[Babylon 5]]'' gets one of these from Kosh. It marks his turning point towards becoming the most heroic character in the series. Made even better as it happens during G'kar's (completely justified) [[Kick the Dog]] [[Mind Rape]] attack on Londo.
{{quote|
** And [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39nvDbbrsmI worth seeing oneself.]
* Subverted in the ''[[Supernatural]]'' episode "The Monster at the End of this Book":
{{quote|
'''Chuck''': But...I'm just a writer.
'''Dean''': This isn't a story anymore, man. [[This Is Reality|This is real]]! And you're in it! Now, I need you to get off your ass and fight. Come on, Chuck.
''Background music starts to swell...''
'''Chuck''': No friggin' way. }}
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* "Scots Wha Hae", by the great Scottish poet Robert Burns, purports to be Robert the Bruce's [[Rousing Speech]] to his troops before the Battle of Bannockburn. He offers to let any soldier 'wha will fill a coward's grave' flee, and proclaims "We will drain our dearest veins/But they shall be free!"
* "Special Agent" by Universal Hall Pass: the story of the song seems to be about the titular operative approaching a young woman and offering not only his (her?) services and support (''no need to run, I'm a special agent miss... go ahead and charge it on my credit card''), but encouragement to... well, it's why the song is in this trope: ''should you decide you're your personal alchemist... go and earn what you've so long awaited. I know you'll do more than this''
* "Tutelary Genius" by Universal Hall Pass: A
* The second chorus of "Spirit Never Die" by ''[[
* "Land of Confusion", from either Genesis or Disturbed. "[[Crapsack World|This is the world we live in]]/and these are the hands we're given/[[When All You Have Is a Hammer|Use them and let's start trying]]/[[Earn Your Happy Ending|To make it a place worth living in.]]"
== Theater ==
* ''[[Cyrano De Bergerac]]'': This trope is deconstructed in this play, the
** Act I Scene IV: [[Jerk Jock|De Guiche]] casually dares [[Girl Posse|Viscount De Valvert]] to [[Bullying a Dragon|bully Cyrano]] after he literally kicks a Bore's ass:
{{quote|
'''Viscount de Valvert''' ''(shrugging his shoulders):'' Swaggerer!
'''De Guiche''': Will no one put him down?...
'''Viscount de Valvert:''' No one? But wait!
[[Too Dumb to Live|I'll treat him to. . .one of my quips!...]] [[Famous Last Words|See here!...]] }}
** Act II Scene III: [[Your Cheating Heart|Lisa]] dares [[Miles Gloriosus|the Musketeer]] to [[Bullying a Dragon|bully Cyrano]] after he defends Raguenau’s honor. The Musketeer did not take the bait.
{{quote|
Why turn you not a jest on his nose?
'''The Musketeer: ''' On his nose?. . .ay, ay… his nose.
''(He goes quickly farther away; Lise follows him.)'' }}
** Act II Scene IX: [[Proud Warrior Race Guy|The cadets]] converse in front of [[Naive Newcomer|Christian]] about [[Berserk Button|Cyrano attitude towards his nose.]] Christian takes the hint [[Bullying a Dragon|about what they are asking him to do]]. Then Christian, not being really an idiot, asks [[A Father to His Men|Captain Carbon]] about what to do. Captain Carbon insists in this disturbingly horrific [[Initiation Ceremony]]:
{{quote|
'''Carbon''' ''(turning and looking at him from head to foot):'' Sir!
'''Christian:''' Pray, what skills it best to do
To Southerners who swagger?...
'''Carbon:''' Give them proof
That one may be a Northerner, yet brave! ''(He turns his back on him.)''
'''Christian:''' I thank you. }}
* [[Hamlet]] constantly tries to talk himself into this mode. That's what the "To be, or not to be" soliloquy is about; suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or just give up and sleep? Takes him a long time to get the point (several acts' worth), but when he does, he commits: "My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!" [[Family-Unfriendly Aesop|And then everyone dies]].
* "Man Up" from ''[[The Book of Mormon (
{{quote|
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* ''[[Bad Dudes]]'': President Ronnie has been kidnapped by Ninjas. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue the President?
* ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'': "Now! Now is the time to choose! Die, and be free of pain, or live, and fight your sorrow! Now is the time! Your future is in your hands!"
* ''[[Strange Journey]]'': [[Back
* The flash game ''Seven Sins'' has the main character challenged by a guy in a pub to commit the [[Seven Deadly Sins]] in a fortnight. His reward? {{spoiler|'''ETERNAL DAMNATION'''!}}
* Phantom of ''[[Mega Man Zero]] 3'' gives one such speech after fighting the title character as a [[Bonus Boss]] in a [[Secret Test of Character|secret test]]. [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|Awesome?]] Yes, it is.
{{quote|
* In ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'' you can give one of these to a sick krogan.
{{quote|
'''Tali:''' [[I'm Standing Right Here
** Garrus gives one to Shepard in the [[Mass Effect 3]] launch trailer.
{{quote|
* ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'': This is an Eidolon's typical response to their corresponding l'Cie slipping dangerously close to the [[Despair Event Horizon]]. You either prove to the Eidolon that you have the strength to persevere or they put you out of your misery. Fang only gets the latter right; Hope puts it all together after subduing Alexander.
* ''[[
* [[Ocarina of Time|Art thou courageous?]]
** To say nothing of a now-infamous commercial for the game in the UK, featuring the tagline: "Wilst thou get the girl... Or play like one?". Not exactly the best choice of words, and was promptly [[Retcon
* Used in the Demon Hunter trailer for ''[[Diablo|Diablo III]]''. [[Word of God]] state that this is one of their primary recruiting methods.
{{quote|
* ''[[No More Heroes]]'': So what do you say? Join me. Could be fun. Could kick ass. Could totally suck. And for you there holding the Wii Remote, just press the A button, and let the bloodshed begin!
* The [[Fallout: New Vegas|Courier]] can use this to convince {{spoiler|Orion Moreno}} to fight for the NCR at Hoover Dam, telling him that he ''could'' leave, but doesn't he want to show those pansy-ass NCR troopers how a ''real'' soldier fights?
* In ''[[Diablo|Diablo II]]'', Tyrael berates Marius for freeing Baal, telling him that he must find the courage to undo his mistake. {{spoiler|He doesn't.}}
* In ''[[Dragon Age II]]'', an Aggressive!Hawke can convince the Tal'Vashoth deserter to fight against his former comrades, telling him that kicking their asses would be a good way of establishing his worth as a mercenary.
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== Western Animation ==
* ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'': The Gargoyles do this for Quasimodo, to get him to literally and metaphorically break from his chains and rescue Esmerelda.
* ''[[The Incredibles]]'': Edna Mode's friendly pep talk to Helen Parr.
{{quote|
'''E:''' What are you talking... about?
'''Helen:''' Hm?
'''E:''' [Jumping onto table with rolled up newspaper] you are Elastigirl! My God, pull [bat!] yourself [bat!] together [bat!]! 'What will you do' Is-is- this a question?! You will show him that you remember that he is Mr. Incredible and you will ''remind him'' who ''you'' are. Well, you know where he is, go, confront the problem. Fight- ''Win!'' ...And call me when you get back, darling, I enjoy our visits. }}
* ''[[Transformers Prime]]'': After Jack decides hanging out with the Autobots isn't worth getting up close and personal with the Decepticons, Miko tries to bring him round with one of these. He refuses: {{spoiler|it takes Arcee admitting that she isn't ready to lose another friend so soon after Cliffjumper to make him reconsider.}}
* In ''[[Batman:
* [[Rango]] gets one of the most direct
{{quote|
'''The Spirit of the West''': Then ''be'' a hero. }}
* The song "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" in ''[[
* From 1985: ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Qu_DEo6MY Big Foot and the Muscle Machines]''. [[Tagline| They're big, bad, dirty, and ''mean''!]] They're also the good guys in this limited series.
== [[Real Life]] ==
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* Actually works in real life. Not all the time though, otherwise [[World of Badass]] wouldn't be a trope, it'd be a default.
* When you think about it, this is basically what "clutch" in sports comes down to. Coming back from a disadvantageous situation only to win the game or the fight.
* Most, if not all of Winston Churchill's wartime speeches.
* Ditto Franklin Roosevelt, beginning with the "Infamy Speech."
** And for a peacetime version, his First Inaugural Address: "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
* The motto of the British SAS, "Who Dares, Wins".
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[[Category:Word Power]]
[[Category:Badass]]
[[Category:Dare
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