Compare and Contrast - Essay Example

Compare and contrast Sherlock Holmes is one of the most cherished detectives from the world of fiction. Even today, Sherlock Holmes generates the same interest and popularity as he had in the past. With the passing time, different shades were given to the character of Sherlock Holmes depending on the taste of the audience. If the characters of Sherlock Holmes from the television serial “The Hound of The Baskervilles” and the movie “Sherlock Holmes” are compared, then one can find many different shades in the characters that are portrayed.
Similarity
When the two characters of Sherlock Holmes, from the television serial “The Hound of The Baskervilles” and the movie “Sherlock Holmes,” played by Jeremy Brett and Robert Downey respectively, are compared, then it is found that they display similar traits and behavior when it comes to their mental patterns. For example, they both like the process of deduction and find it challenging. They are proud of their analytical ability to deduct the facts about people from their physical appearance or accessories. For example, Brett is shown making deduction about a man from the walking stick that he forgets in his apartment. When he sees the man getting down from the carriage, he remarks “I was right,” in a very satisfactory and happy tone. In the movie, Downey is shown making deduction about Watson’s girl friend from her appearance and her accessories. He does not refuse to state the facts even when he realizes that it might make Watson and his girl friend uncomfortable. This shows that both the characters find great mental satisfaction in making deductions about people, and do not hesitate to display their skill even if it creates discomfort for others.
Secondly, both the characters are sarcastic in their expressions. For example, Brett asks Watson to make deduction from the walking stick. When Watson tells him what he thinks, Brett initially appreciates him but when Watson expresses happiness over his achievement, Brett says “but I am afraid that most of your conclusions were erroneous.” Similarly, even Downey is shown being sarcastic in his remarks. For example, in the beginning of the movie, when the inspector reaches the crime scene after the girl is saved by Holmes and Watson from being murdered by Lord Blackwood, Holmes says to the inspector “impeccable timing Lestrade,” in a sarcastic tone. Later, when inspector says “and you were supposed to wait for my orders,” Downey replies “if I had, you would be cleaning up a corpse and chasing a rumor.” This shows that both Brett and Downey display similar traits of having strong deduction power and sarcasm.
Contrast
Most differences in the character played by Brett and Downey appear to be on the physical level. Brett’s physical appearance is very clean, tidy and neat. On the other hand, Downey’s physical appearance is shabby, untidy and disheveled. Secondly, Brett’s apartment is also clean while Downey’s apartment is dirty and in disorder. The third major difference is the skill of martial arts. Downey is shown skilled at martial arts and having the uncanny ability to plan the fight sequence even before he takes action. No such skill is displayed by Brett. Brett is shown as a man of quick, yet controlled and stiff physical movements while Downey’s physical movements are sharp, fast and smooth. Another contrasting aspect is their way of handling and directing their own genius ability. Brett seems to have control and direction to his genius while Downey is shown getting isolated from the world if he does not get outlet to his genius. For example, in absence of work, he is shown living inside his apartment in darkness, with the curtains drawn, for three months. Most of the times, Watson is shown bringing him out of his isolation and helping him to live a ‘normal’ life. No such abnormal behavior is displayed by Brett’s character.
In this way, more differences than similarities are found in the characters of Sherlock Holmes played by Jeremy Brett and Robert Downey, Jr.

Works Cited
Sherlock Holmes. Dir. Guy Ritchie. Perf. Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams,
Mark Strong. Silver Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, 2009. Film.
“The Hound of The Baskervilles.” The Return of Sherlock Holmes. Granada Television, ITV,
UK. 31 Aug. 1988. Television. Read More