While many Elizabethan playwrights created stock characters, such as the villain, the hero, and the clown, Shakespeare's characters are often complex and multifaceted. They have both strengths and weaknesses, and their motivations are often not clear-cut. This makes them more interesting and relatable than the stock characters of other playwrights.
For example, Shakespeare's character Hamlet is a complex and tragic figure. He is intelligent and eloquent, but also indecisive and prone to melancholy. He is torn between his duty to avenge his father's death and his love for Ophelia. Hamlet is a complex character who cannot be easily categorized as either good or evil.
Another example of Shakespeare's complex characters is Lady Macbeth. She is ambitious and ruthless, but also loving and devoted to her husband. She is driven by her desire for power, but she also experiences guilt and remorse for her crimes. Lady Macbeth is a complex and fascinating character who is both evil and sympathetic.
Shakespeare's complex characters are one of the reasons why his plays have remained popular for centuries. They continue to fascinate and engage audiences because they are so real and relatable.