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Sherlock Holmes: Literary Hero to Action Star

By Mark Etinger

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 29Jan2012 Word count: 474 Viewed: 81 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Sherlock Holmes is currently very popular in mainstream culture; he has been present in it since the late 19th century, but different forms of entertainment are currently very keen on showcasing the greatest detective in modern literature. Surprisingly and reassuringly, these interpretations are actually quite accurate to his portrayal in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic novels and short stories.

In any interpretation of Sherlock Holmes, the most important aspect of the depiction is to accurately portray the dynamic and relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Their "bromance" is probably the most recognizable in all of English literature and was established 150 years before the term was even coined.

In the books, they are fiercely and ferociously loyal to each other. Holmes is not an easy man to love, much less live with, yet Watson loves him as a brother and Holmes shares the same affection for the good doctor. Additionally, Watson is the perfect partner to Sherlock Holmes; he helps him keep in touch with his humanity and contributes his formal education, world knowledge, and emotional intelligence to any case. Although Holmes does in fact have more humanity than most modern interpretations credit to him, Watson nonetheless more openly depicts his compassionate nature. Watson is incredibly even-keeled, which makes him the best, and only, sounding board for Holmes, who appreciates talking to him. In turn, Watson generally understands Holmes' periods of mania and introversion; his presence helps flesh out Holmes as a character. Therefore, for any modern retelling of Doyle's most famous stories needs to respect and understand the intricate dynamics of their friendship.

Another trait that is integral to Holmes' impressiveness as a literary character is his physical as well as cerebral strength. Even famous classic adaptions of the stories, such as the ones in which Basil Rathbone stars as Sherlock Holmes, rarely pay tribute to his incredible physicality. Holmes was somewhat of a closeted athlete, as demonstrated in "The Scarlet Band", when he straightens the fire poker that a villain bent in an ominous show of force. He is very fit and incredibly strong, traits that are only now being showcased in modern versions of the classic mysteries. Particularly ingenious, is the way in which his fighting capabilities are presented; the audience is treated to mental assessment of his opponent; his intellectual abilities enhance his physical prowess.

Classic literature is too often poorly presented in movies and television. Sherlock Holmes, however, is a character who has translated well to the screen. He and John Watson are the original crime-fighting duo and as long as modern forms of media honor their relationship as well as the full-fledged character he was in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's work, this classic literary hero will continue to enthrall generations of avid fans.

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