Pale complexion and brown uncut hair. Long dark trench coat. Professional analyzer, observer, problem solver, and criticizer. Carries a phone, or a pipe, and sometimes wears a odd hat.
Subject identified... Scroll to enter into the profile of 'Sherlock Homes'...
Sherlock Homes. Ever heard of him? One of those fictional character so real, you almost feel guilty about calling 'fictional'...There is one thing that I've wanted to blog about for a long time, that I've never actually done, and that is to blog about Popular Fictional Characters and what we can learn from them. From as far back as I can remember I've been prone to analyzing and comparing the personalities of Fictional TV Characters and their stories, and trying to figure out what they can teach us 'real characters' in the 'real world'.
I'm not the sort of person who takes films and characters though and makes religions or cults out of them, so no need to fear. But I do find characters/people whether fictional or real, fascinating. One of my favorite mental questions to ask is 'why someone does what they do'...there is a reason for most everything, and I suppose you could compare me a bit to the famed 'Sherlock Homes' in the area of 'solving fascination/addiction'. I do believe I pull out my mental microscope, and take memory notes every time I watch a movie with an interesting character.
So what do you think? Would you like to be my Watson and join me in my observations of character? I cannot promise to be concise, for just like the former detective, I can be rather long winded when describing my finds. But I hope you will forgive me, and take my offer to delve into the the world of personalities, moral stances, and worldviews. This journey will not be a surface dig, we will be entering into deep recesses of Characters, that even Mr. Sherlock Homes would not know about.
Before I continue, and you jump aboard, I will inform you that in this personal file, I will be exposing the Sherlock Homes, particularly of BBC Television, and not so much Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock'. Also, I will warn you of the possibility of 'Spoilers' if you are currently watching the TV Modern Sherlock.
And, from here we will enter the Character or 'Sherlock'... and as the Detective himself would say "The Case is a foot!"
Firstly, I would like to call attention to Mr. Cummberpath's excellent and detailed performance. The best film characters are fleshed out by believable actors. And believe it or not, an actor will infuse the character he is acting as with qualities of his own nature.
So, who is Sherlock Homes? I mean, 'really'? I don't want to tumble an exceptional fictional character in your mind... but that's not what I aim to do. What is the 'Character' of Sherlock Homes? And what can we learn from Him?
I don't know about you, but I learn things from fictional and non-fictional characters all the time. I observe the way they live and act, and in doing so learn more about people in general, and my own humanity.
There is a learning that is more to be desired than 'learning from experience' and that is 'learning by other people experiences', and the way 'they' handle things.
The Danger of Genius
There is a danger in genius. There is a danger in being 'highly intelligent'. For it is extremely rare that a highly intelligent man does not become 'puffed up', or let his intelligence "go to his head"... because intelligence begins 'in one's head' to start with, and it is easily to be consumed by it.
Sherlock is this way. He is no longer 'in danger' of being consumed by his own genius, 'he is' consumed by it. He is thoroughly captivated by his own ability, and enjoys boasting about it.
But, there is more to Sherlock's condition. For the fact is, Sherlock is not oblivious to his faults...There is always hope for someone who acts wrongly or thinks wrongly to improve, because he can be awakened to 'realize' his condition, and 'desire to change'. But, Sherlock is not in the dark.
There is only one thing worse than having faults and living in personality weakness, and that is to nod at your faults, and approve of your weaknesses.
This is more a danger to the highly intellectual, or widely praised person, (the first praises himself and the second is praised by others) because believe it or not, it is usually those who stand outside, or above the crowd who approve of their weakness, because they make them feel 'different', and therefore 'better', 'smarter'...He who resorts in his mind, he who spends most his time in his 'thinking box' very likely does not need the approval of individuals, because usually, he who enjoys being alone does not seek the company or approval of others. So who is his Approver? His own mind.
The other danger for the intellectual man, is for him worship his own intellect. And He who does that, places his own mind on the throne of his life. And, if by some chance he does not 'understand' something, will insist that 'it doesn't exist'. Where intellect is god, there is no place for 'faith'.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. - Proverbs 26:12
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. - Proverbs 3:7
Pride and Selfishness
You may ask, what is wrong with thinking yourself smart, wise or extremely good at something? What if it's true? And if it's true, why is it so wrong? It would be wrong to think yourself better than you are, but what if you truly are as "good" as you think?
Proverbs states and warns several times about 'being wise in your own eyes', why?
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. - Romans 12:3
It is not wrong to realize your skill, but it is what you do with that knowledge that is dangerous. A person is not suppose to dwell too much on their own genius or excellence because he will become consumed by it, and puffed up. And when a man becomes puffed up, it is easy to disprove of others, and even ignore what they have to offer/share, because after all 'Pride pushes everyone away, and clings only to it's self'. A prideful man, is a lone man. When you think to highly of yourself and criticize others for not being 'as you' there is definitely a problem, and you are doing exactly opposite of a truly 'great man'. http://youtu.be/p9Cca7Nq2Zs That fact is though, when Sherlock does it, we can't help but laugh. But, let's not be desensitized to the reality, that it's absolutely not to be imitated.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not 'boast', it is not 'proud'... - 1 Corinthians 13:4
Sherlock is extremely selfish. He cares mainly only about himself, and his goals. Although he is great at analyzing, observing, and solving crime cases, he is apathetic and unsympathetic towards others. The sad thing is that, Sherlock lifts intelligent and his own desires above his treatment of others and their desires. A truly great man, puts others before himself, and realizes that love is the great sacrifice, and the greatest quality in life.
What Sherlock fails to see, is that love is greater than intellect, and life is more than crime cases. As much as Sherlock can observe and deduct what's on the surface, he is stuck in his head, and leaves his heart in a dark cold corner. As much as Watson is there for him, Sherlock seems to take it all for granted. But why is this? Can he not see how much Watson cares about him? Perhaps it is not because he cannot see emotion that Sherlock does not respond, but because he 'refuses' or is 'afraid' to show it. Or even still, maybe it is because Sherlock sees the treasures of life, friendship and love as mere 'emotion'.
This is no just a 'Sherlock' predicament, it is very common with those of his similar personality, the 'Melancholic' personality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_temperaments#Melancholic
But this should not come as a surprise, often times it is those who are highly intellectual or what we may call 'nerdy' who think more than they feel, and that is not entirely wrong at all. But, it is when 'pride rises', that he who once was lacking in emotion or passion, completely rejects it and judge those around him who have it. Just as Sherlock does to Watson.
Redemption in Sacrifice
It is hard for Sherlock to show how much he does really need Watson and appreciate him. Partly, because he has never tried to show it. But there is a source of redemption, "salvation" for the man who rejects emotion, who is self consumed, and judges those around him. And that is through 'love'/ 'sacrifice'.
And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Ephesians 5:2
In the last episode of Season 2 of the Sherlock show, Sherlock is faced with a major decision. And he ultimately puts his life on the line for Watson and his friends, and does the very act that makes him a true 'Hero' in the sense of action. Moriarty, Sherlock's arch enemy, has snipers aimed at Watson down the street, and Sherlock is up on the roof top of a tall city building. Moriarty has set it up so that, if Sherlock jumps his friend will be spared, but if he does not, Watson will be killed. Sherlock... the same Sherlock who claimed he didn't need friends, calls Watson's cell phone and says goodbye, tears and all, before jumping. http://youtu.be/wRdr9kmeryc
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13
We can learn a lot from the character of Sherlock. And since the TV Show is not ended, that leaves further room for Character growth.
So pick up your magnifying glass, and keep your eyes open. There will be more chances to examine the Character of 'Sherlock'.
I encourage you to think beyond the screen, and observe beyond the surface, whether you are watching Sherlock or any other film or character...
There is much to learn, and much to be deducted.
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