Contrast between hero and non-hero in Sherlock Holmes

The first released Sherlock Holmes stories were published in 1887, by Sir Aurthor Conan Doyle, during the Victorian era. In this time frame, Doyle developed the famous character Sherlock Holmes for solving the unsolvable mysteries, and representing a heroic hero in many different aspects. With this however, his positive qualities, follow many negative ones revealing his anti-heroic side.

In many Conan Doyle’s short stories, its clear to the reader, Sherlock Holmes is like no other, thus creating the real mystery in trying to unravel Mr.Sherlock Holmes personality. Conan demonstrates that Holmes thinks he is above the law, in the quote, “Well it is not for me to judge you (John Turner)” said Holmes the old man signed the statement which had been drawn out. “I pray that we have never be exposed to such a temptation” This shows that with this kind of power over his clients, readers would be drawn away but as well interested in his actions. With undertaking the job as a judge and jury to the outlaw he captures. In the Victorian peroid the police force were not highly thought of, thus influencing Sherlock Holmes social standing to feel superior. Holmes character allowed Doyle to express to the readers that Holmes is correct in his boldness because he assists people and also he finds the solution to the cases in which are to hard to solve, even the police were unable to decipher.

Highlighting Holmes heroism, Conan Doyle reveals in his stories that Sherlock Holmes is using a highly addictive drug known as cocaine. Unable to control this addiction , Holmes decreases his heroic side to his readers, demonstarted in this quote: “My own complete happiness, and the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature”

Durning the Victorian era, the use of cocaine was common, not only in Holmes but in many men and women as well. Regardless of this addiction, Holmes was still looked at as a hero through the Victorian mindset. Although in todays day and age readers would not take kindly to Holmes use, because of the improvement in knowledge that cocaine is highly addictive. However, through this fault Doyle ephasisis sherlock more as a human. Holmes drug use allows the reader to be put in the character of being more intelligent than the genius Holmes.

To illustrate and define Sherlock Holmes heroic stance, we examine his generous side. Not showing an interest in money nor fame but only interest an care for the mysteries. For an example, “What a woman – oh, what a woman!” cried the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this epistle. “Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?” Making a reference to Irene Adler’s social rank , informing you it is much lower than that of the King Of Bohemia’s. With Holmes however, social ranking will always take a back seat to other ways of evaluating people. Representing that rather the victim is rich or poor and seeking for help, Holmes will help whoever. Which expresses a more heroic side.

In conclusion, despite the cocaine use , Sherlock holmes is representative of a heroic hero. Conan Doyle developed his character to help others, solve the unsolvable revealing his hero stance more. With poor decisions, Holmes managed to keep the title of hero and showing that no human being is perfect.