Holmes and House:
Compare and Contrast
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?" - Sherlock Holmes in “The Sign of the Four”
Gregory House, the titular character on Fox’s medical drama series “House,” is partly based on the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, with whom House shares several character traits with. However, despite the striking similarities, many characteristics are exclusive to House, resulting in a unique individual.
Both men possess formidable powers of deduction. They are able to analyze and draw conclusions through minor details; to be able to extrapolate one’s character, history and motivations off of insignificant aspects of a person’s appearance or behavior. Both House and Holmes are held in high regard by their colleagues for their insightful logical reasoning. House frequently uses these skills when producing a diagnosis, connecting all the pieces together: the patient’s history, character, and lifestyle, as well as the test results. Both men only take cases that interest them, pursuing neither fame nor wealth, solely seeking intellectual stimulation; usually, it is the cases that are deemed unsolvable by others and are incredibly difficult. In addition, both House and Holmes are unsociable men who possess only one true friend or companion (Dr. Watson and Dr. Wilson respectively), who connects the withdrawn protagonists to societal concerns. It is also the close friend who struggles to help House and Holmes manage their use of addictive drugs, concerned over the hero’s mental and physical health. Also, just like Holmes, House is willing to bend the truth or break the law (e.g. lying to patients or breaking into their homes) to further his efforts to solve the case.
Conversely, Holmes and House greatly differ in their attitude toward human nature and life in general. While Holmes is unsociable and withdrawn, House is antagonistic, cynical and a curmudgeon. He enjoys analyzing a person’s character and shortcomings, mocking their weaknesses. House treats his patients with great disrespect, and is uninterested in making personal connections with them, only in solving the case itself. In contrast, Holmes is always polite, a gentleman; he treats others, especially Watson, with respect, despite Holmes’ superior intellect. House shows contempt for social etiquette, believing it to have no rational purpose. Likewise, House is an atheist and is disdainful of believers of any religion. The brilliant medical doctor looks upon human nature with great pessimism, exemplified by his personal maxim, “Everybody Lies.” In addition, House and Holmes differ in their drug use. Holmes occasionally uses drugs such as cocaine and morphine recreationally; for mental stimulation when an interesting case is unavailable. House, however, is both physiologically and psychologically dependent on Vicodin, a pain killer that House habitually uses (and abuses) to manage the pain originating in a leg infarction affecting his quadriceps muscle.
Much of House’s character has been inspired by Sherlock Holmes; both men possess exceptional logical reasoning and are not well connected socially. Despite the similarities, however, House’s cynical, misanthropic personality and cunning, dry wit affirms his distinct identity.
Gregory House, the titular character on Fox’s medical drama series “House,” is partly based on the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, with whom House shares several character traits with. However, despite the striking similarities, many characteristics are exclusive to House, resulting in a unique individual.
Both men possess formidable powers of deduction. They are able to analyze and draw conclusions through minor details; to be able to extrapolate one’s character, history and motivations off of insignificant aspects of a person’s appearance or behavior. Both House and Holmes are held in high regard by their colleagues for their insightful logical reasoning. House frequently uses these skills when producing a diagnosis, connecting all the pieces together: the patient’s history, character, and lifestyle, as well as the test results. Both men only take cases that interest them, pursuing neither fame nor wealth, solely seeking intellectual stimulation; usually, it is the cases that are deemed unsolvable by others and are incredibly difficult. In addition, both House and Holmes are unsociable men who possess only one true friend or companion (Dr. Watson and Dr. Wilson respectively), who connects the withdrawn protagonists to societal concerns. It is also the close friend who struggles to help House and Holmes manage their use of addictive drugs, concerned over the hero’s mental and physical health. Also, just like Holmes, House is willing to bend the truth or break the law (e.g. lying to patients or breaking into their homes) to further his efforts to solve the case.
Conversely, Holmes and House greatly differ in their attitude toward human nature and life in general. While Holmes is unsociable and withdrawn, House is antagonistic, cynical and a curmudgeon. He enjoys analyzing a person’s character and shortcomings, mocking their weaknesses. House treats his patients with great disrespect, and is uninterested in making personal connections with them, only in solving the case itself. In contrast, Holmes is always polite, a gentleman; he treats others, especially Watson, with respect, despite Holmes’ superior intellect. House shows contempt for social etiquette, believing it to have no rational purpose. Likewise, House is an atheist and is disdainful of believers of any religion. The brilliant medical doctor looks upon human nature with great pessimism, exemplified by his personal maxim, “Everybody Lies.” In addition, House and Holmes differ in their drug use. Holmes occasionally uses drugs such as cocaine and morphine recreationally; for mental stimulation when an interesting case is unavailable. House, however, is both physiologically and psychologically dependent on Vicodin, a pain killer that House habitually uses (and abuses) to manage the pain originating in a leg infarction affecting his quadriceps muscle.
Much of House’s character has been inspired by Sherlock Holmes; both men possess exceptional logical reasoning and are not well connected socially. Despite the similarities, however, House’s cynical, misanthropic personality and cunning, dry wit affirms his distinct identity.
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