Character Complexity Complex Character A character with conflicting

Character Complexity

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

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

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.

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). CAPULET 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!

Characters are often both… • But whether we label them complex or dynamic depends on the specific discussion we’re having.

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