Final answer:
Complex characters are those who exhibit growth and change, face inner conflicts, and possess multifaceted personalities. These characters can be engaged in various conflicts, such as internal struggles or external challenges, including relationships with others or societal pressures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Complex characters in literature are those who grow and change throughout the story, exhibit inner struggles and conflicts, and demonstrate multiple facets to their personalities. These characters may experience conflict in various forms, including character vs. self, where they face their own beliefs and values, or character vs. character, where they have struggles with other individuals.
In addition to primary characters like the protagonist and antagonist, stories also include secondary or minor characters who either support or exist independently from the main characters. Static characters, in contrast, do not change and can serve to highlight the development of dynamic characters.
Conflict is a central element in storytelling, and it can occur on both internal and external levels. Internal conflict deals with a character's personal dilemmas, like a torn decision between family duty and state loyalty, whereas external conflict involves struggles with other characters, society, nature, or even supernatural forces. The complexity of a character often deepens the reader's engagement with the story as they navigate these intricate relationships and obstacles.