1. Character Complexity

2. Complex Character
A character with conflicting and often contradictory traits, motivations, and/or desires.
Complex characters possess these qualities simultaneously.
Not necessarily dynamic.

3. might cause complications?!
For example…
Romeo hates the Capulets yet loves Juliet.
ROMEO
Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
To such a greeting. Villain am I none.
Therefore, farewell. I see thou know’st me not.
(V.i.)
See how this
might cause complications?!

4. Not to be confused… With dynamic characters.
Dynamic characters are those who change over the course of the narrative, as result of conflicts, settings, other characters, etc.

5. For example…
Over the course of the play, Lord Capulet develops from vehemently engaging in the feud to mournfully vowing to end it.
CAPULET
My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, And flourishes his blade in spite of me
(1.i).
O brother Montague, give me thy hand: This is my daughter's jointure, for no more Can I demand.
(V.iii).
He does not have these feelings AT THE SAME TIME!

6. Characters are often both…
But whether we label them complex or dynamic depends on the specific discussion we’re having.
A character’s complexity exists within itself at a given moment within the narrative.
A character’s dynamism happens over time.

7. Complex
Dynamic
“He sat back. A sense of complete helplessness had descended upon him. To begin with, he did not know with any certainty that this was It must be round about that date, since he was fairly sure that his age was thirty-nine, and he believed that he had been born in 1944 or 1945; but it was never possible nowadays to pin down any date within a year or two” (Orwell).
Winston is intellectual yet unsure.
“Anything that hinted at corruption always filled him with a wild hope” (Orwell).
“But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother” (Orwell).
Throughout 1984, Winston Smith develops from rebellious to obedient.