Quixote & Panza vs Holmes and Watson: A Comparison
Aside from their personality and ego similarities, a comparison of the physical attributes and living habits of Don Quixote and Sherlock Holmes are worth examining for a full understanding of each man. Physically, Quixote and Holmes are rather alike. When we are first introduced to Don Quixote, he is described as “Lean-bodied and thin-faced, of a hale and strong complexion7.” In his full armor with lance and mounted on his horse, Quixote cuts more of a comical figure than anything. Like Quixote, Holmes is described as being tall and thin. Dr. Watson describes him as being “Rather over six feet, and so excessively lean that he seemed to be considerably taller8.” Holmes is also
…show more content…
As stated by their respective books, Quixote is near 50 years old, while Holmes is closer to 60. In terms of their living habits, Quixote and Holmes differ somewhat. Holmes is described as having bohemian (informal/unconventional) habits. This does make him sometimes difficult to live with at times. Watson says in the Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual that “Although in his methods of thought he was the neatest and most methodical of mankind, he was none the less in his personal habits one of the most untidy men that ever drove a fellow-lodger to distraction9.” Despite this critical description of Holmes, Watson never gives true indication that Holmes is truly a burden to live with. Quixote, by comparison, led a relatively quiet and unassuming life until his madness began. He is described as being, “an early riser and a lover of hunting10.” Quixote’s life after the madness took hold, however, was completely turned upside down by his various travels across Spain, the fights he had with imaginary devils and the problems he caused his friends who were trying to look out for his safety. Because of all this, despite whatever good intention he may have had, Quixote could …show more content…
Quixote’s sidekick is his ever believing squire Sancho Panza, while Holmes’s sidekick is the kind-hearted Dr. John Watson. In the first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, Watson is introduced as having received his medical degree in London in 1878. From London, he traveled to India as a member of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers where he served as an assistant surgeon and was wounded in combat. Watson then returns to London, where he encounters Holmes for the first time. The two decide to become roommates in the same apartment, and the friendship between them begins. While Watson’s backstory is described in great detail, there is very little to the backstory of Sancho Panza.In fact, Don Quixote doesn’t even meet Sancho until Chapter Seven of the story. Sancho is described as one of Don Quixote’s neighbors, a simple-minded farmer and extremely poor. Quixote convinces Sancho to become his squire and promises him many fine things, including the government of an island (that Quixote would someday conquer). Sancho believes Quixote and leaves his wife and children to follow him. Throughout the story, Sancho is shown to be a rather silly, dimwitted character. He is aware of his master’s madness much of the time, but appears to deliberately ignore it to further his dreams of being a Governor and receive money and other spoils that his master might give him. Sancho’s
For a while he finished the stories, but with debts and great public support he created another collection of the Holmes stories, due to the fact they were in high demand. Conan Doyle sadly died in Crowborough, Sussex, England, on July 7, 1930. Holmes is an intellectual detective who although spends a lot of the time by his self still depend on a valiant partner to accompany him on his cases, in this case Dr Watson. Dr Watson, in the Sherlock Holmes stories, is portrayed as particularly as an average British person helping his friend in his cases. Because he is portrayed as this it helps us see ourselves in the story along with Holmes therefore, intriguing the reader to usually read more.
On page 39, it describes the moment in which bullies from his school force him to go face to face with a skeleton in a doctor’s office. Such a terrible experience truly could have scarred Holmes, but at the same time his comfortability with an representation of death could have prompted his killer roots. Also, the “accidental” death of Holmes’s childhood friend, at an event that Holmes was present, was another red flag in terms of potentially becoming a psychopath. We learn more of Holmes’s younger upbringing through the text in which it states,"He drifted through childhood as a small, odd, and exceptionally bright boy....in the cruel imaginations of his peers, he became prey" (Larson, 38) Holmes was essentially an outcast, a person who has been rejected by society or a social group. He was the target of many because of his oddness and rather unique characteristics. With no solid upbringing, and a probable fascination with death, Holmes was bound to be the infamous serial killer he became in his future.
In the movie Holmes, in the beginning, was much more prideful and rude to Watson and people in general, but later on, Holmes was a lot nicer and somewhat humble at least compared to the book. This difference made the viewer feel less liking of the character of Holmes and it almost seemed that the director tried to save Holmes’s character by making him nicer at the ending. The difference had a big impact on the feeling of the movie because it felt that he was so stuck up he was rather unapproachable. ...
Holmes was never arrested for the incident with his father-in-law. However, he was later arrested in “July 1894, Holmes was arrested for the first time. It was not for murder but for one of his schemes” (Taylor). Being arrested should have scared Holmes onto the straight and narrow path, it did not. It was in jail that Holmes met one of his accomplices, Marion Hedgepeth (Nash, Bloodletters 448).
Watson is an amateur detective who helps Holmes solve the mysteries. He is very loyal to Holmes and is a very good friend. They live together in London. In the Victorian Period it was quite common for two professional gentlemen to live together being taken care of by a home keeper. Nobody took any notice of the men living together.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is the creator of the character Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. He was a Scottish writer and physician, he wrote many things in his life. Doyle did not just write detective mysteries he also fantasy and science fiction stories, plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction and historical novels. Even though he wrote many other thing he is mostly well known for writing all of the canon Sherlock stories. Doyle himself had a career in the medical field there he meet many influential people to base his characters from. A letter was found where he wrote to one of his colleagues whose name was Joseph Bell that the most important traits of his character Sherlock was mostly based on him. Bell himself had the career title of forensic
...he met the detective, fell victim to Moriarty’s games. “Moriarty is playing with your mind too. Can’t you see what’s going on!” (Sherlock). During Holmes’ last days before his faked suicide, he pleads with John to see reason through Jim’s manipulations, as does Desdemona with Othello’s accusations. Even Sherlock’s oldest friend Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade was doubting Holmes’ credibility.
Holmes was born in New Hampshire, 1861. His mother was cold and heartless, and his father was an alcoholic. Both parents were very abusive towards Holmes. His parents would isolate and starve him for extended periods of time. At an early age, he was fascinated with the human body which quickly led to him being fascinated by death. Holmes’s captivation of the human body led him to study medicine. After graduating, Holmes was accepted into the University of Michigan Medical
This paper will explore the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and his companion and friend Dr. John Watson. What is the relationship between Holmes and Watson? Are they compatible or are their differences to great for them to overcome. Looking at how they work together will also be a key factor in how well the relationship works between the two of them. Do their own interests and abilities get in the way? Does the time period in which they live factor into the environment of their communication styles?
In 1885 He married Louise Hawkins. Sherlock Holmes made his first appearance in a short novel called "A Study in Scarlet" which was printed in 1887. He continues to write thrilling stories until he realised he wanted to be known not just for Sherlock Holmes but wanted to get involved in other projects. Readers were astonished when Doyle finally killed off the famous detective when he was shoved off a cliff. in 1893 by his arch-nemiss Professor Moriaty.
The novel “The Sign of the Four”, written by Arthur Conan Doyle is about Sherlock Holmes and his partner, Watson. The book follows them throughout their adventures, however, only the beginning will be discussed. What could possibly have sparked much interest in Doyle’s works that film adaptations from 1954-2010 by various movie directors? Was it the resolute mindset of Sherlock Holmes? Was it his uncanny detective work? His professional use of drugs? Or perhaps was it his ideology? Such beginnings are what writers like K.M. Weiland excels in; to craft an irresistible lure for their audience of fish. Doyle’s book introduces us to a multitude of questions and concerns, which according to Tim O’Brien is meant to “not explain or to resolve, but
Comment on the way Conan Doyle uses the character of Watson in The Hound of the Baskervilles.
From the start Watson is seen as smart but Holmes is seen as a genius.After finding the mysterious walking stick Watson tells Holmes what he observes and Holmes replies with “Really Watson,you excel yourself,”said Holmes(Doyle 2).Sherlock Holmes is seen as the type of man that thinks he is higher than anyone else.Although Holmes blatantly tel...
Sherlock Holmes, one of the most famous fictional characters in literary history is a detective capable of solving the most complex mysteries. The author behind the character, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a very successful British writer. The majority of his literary success is due to his crime-fiction tales such as the Sherlock Holmes series. However, Mr. Doyle and Mr. Holmes himself must not take all the credit because there is another character that plays a major role in the stories success. He goes by the name of Dr. Watson, Holmes’ sidekick. The importance of Dr. Watson is evident in many of Doyle’s stories such as A Scandal in Bohemia and A Study in Scarlett.
Likewise, changes have been made on the level of the character in pursuance of the strong bond between Holmes and Watson. For instance, due to plot change some character have been removed, but John H. Watson and Sherlock Holmes the heart of the whole story indeed are kept. For instance, Sherlock Holmes is portrayed as Watson describes him in the “he was as sensitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty” (Doyle 38). Also, Holmes calls himself a “consulting detective” just like the title he gave himself in the novel. Indeed, Holmes as one of the main characters of the story needs to show similar characteristics of the original Holmes, or else the show would have lost its meaning. Although Holmes’ deductive skills are shown pretty clearly in the show, his expertise in cigars are not mentioned as in the book the detective says he “‘can distinguish at a glance the ash of any known brand either of cigar or tobacco’” (Doyle 37). Yet the writers of the show, might reveal Holmes’ expertise later on in the show since they have the 60 different