Representations of Sherlock Holmes: An analysis of Sherlock Holmes' trademarks and their ways of being represented

Jensen, Louise

4. term

English, Master

2014

2014-05-30

73

This thesis examines how directors and actors represent key trademarks of Sherlock Holmes across adaptations. It uses theories of adaptation, representation, and semiotics (Stuart Hall, Saussure, Barthes) to read Holmes’s trademarks as a language audiences decode. The analysis addresses character symbols (name, minor characters, drug use, deerstalker), settings and the move into the 21st century, Holmes’s sexuality and relationships (Watson, women, Moriarty), and his identity as a man of science and adopter of modern technology. Transcripts from selected screen adaptations are used: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984–85) and Guy Ritchie’s films (2009, 2011) set in Victorian London, and the contemporary series Sherlock (2010–) and Elementary (2012–). The study shows that Holmes’s trademarks are treated differently across media and periods, that recent adaptations add new traits—action hero, sex symbol, comic figure—and that modernization through technology helps keep the character recognizable and culturally prominent.

Specialet undersøger, hvordan forskellige instruktører og skuespillere repræsenterer centrale kendetegn ved Sherlock Holmes på tværs af adaptationer. Det anvender teorier om adaptation, repræsentation og semiotik (Stuart Hall, Saussure, Barthes) for at læse Holmes’ kendetegn som et sprog, som publikum afkoder. Analysen behandler figursymboler (navn, sidekarakterer, narkotikamisbrug, deerstalker), settings og moderniseringen til det 21. århundrede, Holmes’ seksualitet og relationer (Watson, kvinder, Moriarty) samt hans identitet som videnskabsmand og brug af moderne teknologi. Der arbejdes med transskriptioner fra udvalgte skærmadaptationer: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984–85) og Guy Ritchies film (2009, 2011) i victoriansk London samt de moderne serier Sherlock (2010–) og Elementary (2012–). Undersøgelsen viser, at Holmes’ kendetegn behandles forskelligt på tværs af medier og perioder, at nyere adaptationer tilføjer nye træk—actionhelt, sexsymbol og komisk figur—og at modernisering gennem teknologi medvirker til at fastholde figurens genkendelighed og kulturelle betydning.

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Jensen, Louise:

• Representations of Sherlock Holmes: A Study of Sherlock Holmes' New Trademarks as a Sex symbol, Action hero, and Comedian in the 21st Century (2014)