What distinguishes a static character from a dynamic character?

A static character is defined primarily by their lack of change over the course of a narrative. Their personality, beliefs, and behaviors remain consistent from beginning to end, serving a particular role within the story, often to highlight the growth of dynamic characters or to represent a particular theme or idea unchangingly. This distinct characteristic allows static characters to provide stability in the plot and can accentuate the transformation experienced by dynamic characters, who evolve in response to events or personal realizations within the story.

The other options highlight traits that do not accurately capture the essence of static versus dynamic characters. Complexity of characterization, for instance, can apply to both static and dynamic characters; being static does not necessarily imply a lack of depth. Likewise, dynamic characters are typically the ones undergoing development and transformation, making it less accurate to classify them as minor or background figures.