One of the main reasons why Shakespeare stands out from his contemporaries and predecessors is that were complex?

Shakespeare's characters are complex because they are often multifaceted and well-developed. They can be both heroes and villains, and they can often be difficult to categorize. This complexity is one of the things that makes Shakespeare's plays so interesting and enduring.

Here are some examples of Shakespeare's complex characters:

* Hamlet: Hamlet is a complex character because he is intelligent, brooding, and indecisive. He is also capable of great cruelty, as well as great love.

* Macbeth: Macbeth is a complex character because he is ambitious, ruthless, and guilty. He is also a victim of the witches' prophecies, and he is eventually driven mad by his guilt.

* Othello: Othello is a complex character because he is noble, loyal, and loving. He is also quick to anger, and he is easily manipulated by Iago.

* King Lear: King Lear is a complex character because he is proud, stubborn, and blind to his own faults. He is also a loving father, and he eventually comes to understand his own mistakes.

These are just a few examples of Shakespeare's many complex characters. His characters are one of the things that makes his plays so great, and they continue to be studied and admired by people all over the world.