In this essay I shall seek to describe the character of Sherlock Holmes and compare it to his abilities and behaviour as a detective. It should serve as a testimony to the precision and mental ability of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in using his imagination in building detective cases and building a complex character like Sherlock Holmes.

The Sherlock Holmes stories describe firstly a detective of almost infinite ability in solving the most complex of cases from the smallest of clues. His ability to see the slightest shred of evidence sometimes borders on the absurd for those that are ignorant to these details. One such example of this observation is when Holmes was able to tell how Miss Stoner arrived at his lodgings in 'The Speckled Band'.

The specific traits and abilities that Holmes exhibits are many, including probably the most important - observation. His keen sense of observation is essential to his success and is exhibited in every case. Coupled with his observation skills is an interest in science and scientific research, and he shows a scientific base to almost all of his observations. This is perceived by Watson in 'A Scandal in Bohemia', when h

In Conclusion, I think that it is Holmes' observational skills and superior intellect which allows him to see cases in an all together different way from other people, that makes him a great detective.

He is also quite a passionate person, he passes some judgement on cases and people, and he has a committed sense of right and wrong. His interpretation is that justice must be done, and people must receive the punishment they deserve, as seen in 'The Speckled Band' where he shows no remorse for the death of Dr Grimsby Roylott, even though Holmes admits he was 'indirectly responsible'. This shows Holmes had passed judgement on Roylott, believing him to be deserving of such a punishment, as his last words were 'I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience'.

As a man, Holmes is portrayed in a way that gives the impression that Holmes' skills as a detective, and the fact that he is aware of his amazing abilities and brilliant mind, affects his ability to interact with society in any normal way. His life operates outside of normal contemporary society; Holmes develops no relationships with anyone else, except Watson. Watson comments on this flaw in Holmes in 'A Scandal in Bohemia' when he says ' as a lover, he would have been placed himself in a false position'.

Often Holmes proves his hypothesis by meticulous scientific experiment and replication of key events. An example of this would be when Holmes re-enacted the events of the night that Miss Stoner heard the same low whistling sound that her sister did just before she died in 'T

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