Many of the modern first impressions of Sherlock Holmes came from Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of him in the 2009 Guy Ritchie-directed adaptation. Yet, the character has been around in literature and film for many years. He has been played by a host of famous actors (Basil Rathbone). Similarly, he has appeared in many famous works (“The Scarlet Letter”). Sherlock Holmes is a captivating character, so let’s explore the qualities that make him stand out.

A Character Through Interpretation

The 2009 film no doubt had an impact on how the world saw Sherlock Holmes. But, he started as a fictional character. Thus, some people’s first impressions might have come from “The Hound of the Baskervilles” (1902). This story, one of Holmes’s more famous exploits, is morbidly intriguing. Perhaps its violence and surprise ending are the selling points. But this story has been widely circulated and interpreted in film.

The sleuth has left an indelible mark on literature through 56 short stories and 4 novels. All of those are just the ones Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote. Doyle’s creation also appeared in many different forms of media as well. These include movies, short stories, and radio plays The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He is even woven into the fabric of mystery stories, sometimes subtly, like Enola Holmes and sometimes not, Holmes and Watson.

Continuing, Dec.1st is a particularly notable day for Mr. Holmes because it marks his first appearance in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel “A Study in Scarlet” (1887). However, while momentous, I think it’s important to note Doyle’s other works featuring the detective, including The Sign of the Four (1890), The Valley of Fear (1915), “A Scandal in Bohemia,” (1891) “The Red-Headed League,” (1891) and “A Case of Identity” (1891).

What Makes Holmes a Captivating Character?

There are many aspects of Sherlock Holmes that are interesting. His wit, dry charm, intelligence, and fight for justice are just a few. In perhaps the most descriptive moment of our detective hero’s life, his sidekick gives the reader the rundown. Here’s an excerpt from chapter two of A Study in Scarlet, which elaborates on sidekick John H. Watson’s immediate observations about living with the eccentric detective. I think this perfectly encapsulates why Holmes is an interesting character:

“Holmes was certainly not a difficult man to live with. He was quiet in his ways, and his habits were regular. It was rare for him to be up after ten at night, and he had invariably breakfasted and gone out before I rose in the morning. Sometimes he spent his day at the chemical laboratory, sometimes in the dissecting-rooms, and occasionally in long walks, which appeared to take him into the lowest portions of the City. Nothing could exceed his energy when the working fit was upon him; but now and again a reaction would seize him, and for days on end he would lie upon the sofa in the sitting-room, hardly uttering a word or moving a muscle from morning to night. On these occasions I have noticed such a dreamy, vacant expression in his eyes, that I might have suspected him of being addicted to the use of some narcotic, had not the temperance and cleanliness of his whole life forbidden such a notion.”

Moreover, Holmes is a capable character with many talents in solving complex crimes. Some of these skills include a knowledge of literature, philosophy, astronomy, politics, botany, geology, chemistry, anatomy, sensationalist literature, and so on. No doubt it is our desire as readers to solve carefully plotted murders and defeat nefarious villains. It just so happens that having a nearly prophetic detective keeps us engaged.

Conclusion

There is a lot of history surrounding Holmes. Often, from story to story, book to book, or author to author, he changes. Nevertheless, the perceptible sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, remains a captivating character. He is intelligent, he is capable, and he has a knack for rooting out evil. What else is there to a captivating character?