A recent article showed that in a poll of 70,000 people the character of Severus Snape beat out all other Harry Potter characters to win fan favorite. Considering how many characters there are in these books and that the poll listed a Top 40 the fact that Snape pulled in 20% of the votes is quite impressive, but not all that surprising. After spending close to 8 years visiting MuggleNet on a daily basis I have seen first hand how much fans adore Severus Snape. I do not get it.
Snape is a jerk. Plain and simple. I get the whole idea that he was in love with Harry’s mother and every time he looks at Harry he is reminded that she chose another man over him and that she is now dead, but that is no excuse to treat Harry, who is a child, the way he does. From his very first Potions class Snape singles him out and unfairly picks on him to the point where Harry is convinced that Snape “hated him” (Philosopher’s Stone, 101*).
If Snape was only horrible to Harry I might have been able to force myself to overlook it, but that was not the case. In the very first book we are told that Snape “‘can turn very nasty’” (104) and likes “hardly any of the students” (105). Throughout the series we are forced to watch as Snape bullies his students time and time again, especially insecure Neville Longbottom. In Chamber of Secrets – keep in mind Neville is only 12 – Snape ridicules him at the Dueling Club saying that he “causes devastation with the simplest spells” and that they would be “sending what’s left of [his dueling partner] up to the hospital wing in a matchbox” (144). He says this in front of nearly the entire school! Then in Prisoner of Azkaban Snape forces Neville to feed his poorly brewed potion to his pet toad with the expectation of it poisoning the toad, the only reason it doesn’t is thanks to Hermione’s help (95-97). Just a few pages later Neville’s boggart takes the form of Snape showing us that he fears Snape more than anything else and even this incident results in Snape “bullying Neville worse than ever” (107).
There are so many examples of Snape’s cruel nature throughout all 7 books that it is impossible to list them all, but I think it is clear that Snape is not a nice man. But he was working for Dumbledore, he was helping Harry, he was brave and good! This is the kind of thing I see written all the time. Yes, in the end Snape was working for Dumbledore not Voldemort. Yes, he was very brave and risked his life daily to help bring Voldemort down. But does that really make him good?
When we finally learn the truth about Snape’s loyalties and love for Lily Evans (Harry’s mother) in Deathly Hallows, rather than feeling sympathetic for him I was more disgusted with him than ever. The only reason he stopped being a Death Eater for Voldemort was because of how Voldemort interpreted the prophecy. When he goes to Dumbledore for help his only concern is for Lily. He doesn’t care that Voldemort wants to kill Harry. When Dumbledore asks him why he doesn’t just ask Voldemort to spare Lily in “‘exchange for the son’” Snape says that he has! It is only after Dumbledore shows his revulsion at this that Snape says to “‘hide them all, then. Keep her – them – safe.’” (543-544)
Later, when Dumbledore is telling Snape that Harry has to die Snape looks “horrified”. Dumbledore is naturally surprised by Snape’s show of outrage and asks him if he has started to care for Harry to which Snape shouts, “For him?” and shows that it is still Lily for whom he cares (551-552). The only reason Snape has been trying to protect and help Harry is because he is Lily’s son and Lily died to protect him. Even when Dumbledore tries to comfort Snape in his grief for Lily by pointing out her son lived Snape’s response is “with a tiny jerk of his head, Snape seemed to flick off an irksome fly.” (544)
In the end was Snape fighting against Voldemort? Yes. Was he brave? Yes. Was he good? No. Snape was a cruel man who cared for no one other than Lily Evans. If ever I become unsure I ask myself one simple question: If Voldemort had chosen to go after the Longbottoms instead of the Potters would Snape have still been a Death Eater? Every time the answer I come up with is “yes”.
What do you think? Do you agree with me or think that I am too hard on Snape? What makes you like or dislike him? Let me know in the comments!
*All page references come from the UK editions of the books.
Very impressed with your arguments here. I’ve read the books but not as deep as this. Snape is one of those Goodie/Baddie types and where would we be without a baddie to love, to hate?
I think he comes across as more of a baddie in the books than the films where he seems more likeable. I think the best baddie (apart from HWSNBN) is Lucious Malfoy & son.
Good read, keep them coming.
Thanks! I completely agree with you that he comes across as more likeable in the movies than in the books. I actually think that Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Snape is a huge part of why so many people are enamored by him, but that could be an entire article by itself!
Hmm, i personally like him. Since the beginning, my friends and i knew he was on the good side, and we always discussed about. But, the main reason why i like him is because james potter was far worst than snape. An arrogant toerag he was, that was what Lily called him. You cant blame snape for hating on the potters cause well, james was a horrid person and harry… isnt all that like able sometimes.
I will agree with you that when you find out about Snape’s less than awesome childhood and the way James bullied him in school he becomes a more sympathetic character, but he is still awful to more than just the Potters. He is an adult who bullies children who are under his care, and this started way before Harry was at school. And he was a death eater by his own free will and choice. Again I ask the question, if Voldemort had gone after the Longbottoms or anyone other than Lily would Snape have still been a Death Eater?
Thanks for the comment! I always welcome friendly debate
And I’m curious…how did you feel about Sirius?
Hmmm… I would not blame Snape for joining Voldy. Voldy is after all a man with power. If you were to bring this plot into the muggle world, many people supported Hitler too! But would you blame the Germans who did? When all they see is a better life ahead with such a leader?
Maybe it is just me, but I really do not like Sirius. He’s… well, I just don’t like him. Maybe because he and James are tight.
I also do not like Dumbledore. I think there is a reason why his name starts with Dumb. HAHA!
Hahahaha! Fair enough. At least you are consistent across characters, which is often not the case. I still think Snape is a jerk, but I enjoyed reading your arguments. Thanks for offering your perspective!
Why is it that everyone is all so ready to forgive Snape, for being grown adult bullying and tormenting 11-year-olds (as Jessica says, not just Harry but the vast majority of students) AND being a DEATHEATER , but they can’t forgive James for being an immature jerk in high school who’s head deflated and became a decent man (otherwise Lilly wouldn’t have married him) AND fought against Voldemort? I can not see how can anyone possible say, in the end, the Snape was a better man than James.
Hear hear!!
I love Snape, in print and on film. Alan Rickman plays him perfectly. His best delivered line is when Umbridge (at the time the Dark Arts teacher) tells him he was unsuccessful when he applied to the Dark Arts post. Snape (Alan Rickman’s) single word answer of “Obviously,” is brilliantly enunciated. It’s a frequently used quote in our house!
Cheers
The movies are full of amazing quotes from him just like the one you mentioned. I actually adore Alan Rickman’s version of Snape! In all the times I have read “Deathly Hallows” I have never cried during the chapter where we learn of Snape’s backstory, but that scene in the movie brought me to tears all 6 times I saw it. I actually think that part of the reason people love Snape so much is that they really just love Rickman as Snape. To me, Snape in the books is very different from Snape in the films. In the films he tends to come across as a strict teacher who is easily annoyed by the students, but he never seems particularly cruel whereas in the books he is extraordinarily cruel. At least this is the way it seems to me. I will say this for Snape, he is a fascinating and complex character who is a lot of fun to discuss and dissect. He is a prime example of Jo’s brilliance!
Thanks for the comment!
We watch the films after my daughter has read the book and she’s still got Deathly Hallows to go, so I’m still waiting to see that one! But you’re right, JK does a great job of creating conflicted characters.
Cheers!
Oh! Well you are in for a treat. The two “Deathly Hallows” films are by far my favorites of the franchise.
Dear Jessica – I came across your original article & found my way to this page so I could reply. However, I see that you have already stated here more or less what I was going to say! Yes, I do think that the film-oriented Harry Potter fans have succumbed to Alan Rickman’s own theatrical magic. I believe JKR had him in mind when she wrote the stories – from book 1 I could see (& hear) him in that role & that was before I knew he’d been cast for it. No one else could play such a complex character so perfectly!
As for the character’s appeal all I see is that JKR is a brilliant writer, well-versed in psychology – & she has given the literary world a flawed, brilliant, arrogant, righteous, twisted, heroic, irritable, lonely, fierce, unhappy & amazingly loyal character to chew on. And it gives me hope for the human race to think that tens of thousands of people all over the world picked up on that! All JKR’s characters are flawed & imperfect & we love them anyway – they are so believable! We see Severus, finally, as an abused & bullied child & teenager &, as with so many victims of such like, instead of rising above it, he chose “payback” – deplorable, but somehow understandable. I read somewhere recently that the forgotten emotion in the entertainment world is “forgiveness” – well, JKR has given us a character in desperate need of forgiveness – & the reaction of the world has shown that we have given him that forgiveness. (Sometimes to the extent of hating not only James & Sirius but Lily herself! Grossly unfair, but there we are)
I had one more point to make but will have to write again as my computer is acting up….
Dear Jessica – sorry! This is now part two (when I get going, I hardly know how to stop!)
Your original premise is correct: Severus Snape was not a good man – he was bitter & resentful & took out his inner rage on the students under his tutelage. But he somehow managed to turn all that negative energy inside into positive action by fighting Voldemort in the best way that he could – that only he could do! And, yes, it was for revenge’s sake, not Harry’s. But no one, after knowing his own story, could doubt his loyalty to Dumbledore. Dumbledore was his only friend, the only one who trusted him – & Severus Killed him simply because he was counting on him to do so. I couldn’t kill my best friend, no matter what. Could you? But he did – & Albus knew that he would obey him, even in that (which he “didn’t want to do anymore”} And one of the main points of JKR’s wonderful saga was that – loyalty. We could all see the loyalty between Harry & Hermione & Ron – but who would’ve thought that the irascible Potions Master would demonstrate the ultimate loyalty?
Is JK Rowling a brilliant writer? Are there, right now, millions of people discussing & writing about her characters as if they were real? Yes & yes! I am in my 60s & only got round to reading her saga 3 years ago. The last book that I read that had such a profound impact on me was JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings – & that was when I was 17! (Obviously, I don’t have a problem with the fantasy genre) I think it is enchanting that we humans can use fantasy to teach each other the truly important things in life – loyalty, friendship, the power of love, courage & the choice between “doing what is right & what is easy” Personally I think that is the greatest line in all 7 books & 8 films – full marks to JKR for seeing the difference between “right & wrong” and “right & easy”. Think about that – & I would love to know what you think about that, if you feel like writing back!
Thanks for reading all this!
I love Snape
He’s unpredictable, if I can call it that. Sometimes he’s good, sometimes he’s bad or evil. I think (I have to say, I’ve never read the books) in the movies he seems to be much as bad/evil as the Malfoy’s. But on the other side I could see his good will. He always just wanted to hold Lily in his Arms. But after her death he had to protect Harry. And I don’t think he’s a jerk. Okay, it’s a little bit too strange that he treat’s Harry and other students this way, but I’ve got a friend who treat’s other people this way too. And that’s because her life wasn’t so nice too. So I understand Snape’s behaviour. And to add something: He teaches his students as good as the other teachers. He’s a strict (severe ;P) person, but I think that’s a good way to teach students. And like in one of the other comments: James Potter was worse than Snape. He always was a sensitive and kind person, but he couldn’t really show this because of like Potter, Black and co treated him. So… all in all, I think Snape’s good.
Yours sincerely.
I actually completely agree with you about Alan Rickman’s Snape. Movie Snape does not come across as cruel, just a strict teacher and someone with a severe personality. I always say that at the end of Half-Blood Prince the movie no one is left in doubt that Snape was following Dumbledore’s orders when he killed him, or at the very least that there was more to it. This is not the case with the books at all. Book Snape is VERY different. In the books he comes across as flatout mean and cruel. When Half-Blood Prince the book came out the fandom was pretty much knocked off its feet by Snape’s murdering Dumbledore. Most of us wanted to believe that it was on Dumbledore’s orders, but we just weren’t sure. That whole scene in the movie where Harry and Snape see each other and Snape puts his finger to his mouth for Harry to be quiet and communicates with his eyes doesn’t happen in the books. I could only provide a few examples to keep this post an acceptable blog length, but I could fill a college term paper with examples that I think support my argument, lol. I better stop before I write a whole other blog in this comment! Thank you so much for your comment. I really do like to hear differing opinions – I think it’s fun! Be sure to let me know what you think if you ever read the books
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I think a huge part of why people like him, as said above, is that Snape is portrayed by Alan Rickman. I do agree that he is not a very nice person, but I try to look at it from both an onlooker and Severus’ perspective. I have my own personal reasons for liking this character that I’d rather not share with the entire world, and that’s my reason.
The movie and books are quite different, I agree on that too. One huge reason I like him would be that he is not perfect. The only thing that kept him from becoming someone like Voldemort was the fact Severus was deeply in love with Harry’s mother. I don’t swoon over this fact (Although it is rather sweet…) and make a huge deal over it, but I’m just saying.
I also get people always defending James and saying that he was just an arrogant teenager and learned from what he did, whereas Snape did not. Think of it this way; James was pretty spoiled, lived in a big house, had all the friends, and never had any reason to fend for himself. (That changed drastically as he got older however.)
Snape on the other hand lived with an abusive, drunken father and an incoherent mother, his only source of relief coming from the girl next door.
Okay, I think I’ve about covered my rant…haha. I don’t intend for this to sound like I’m completely defending Severus, because as I said, he isn’t perfect.
Thanks for the comment! You make a lot of valid points that are all things I have thought about. Snape is such a fascinating character with so many layers, which is why he is so much fun to dissect and discuss.
I completely agree that Snape’s difficult and abusive upbringing excuses his behavior…to a point. The thing is Harry was raised in an abusive environment too and yet he was still able to see the difference between right and wrong just as so many others are. Granted, Snape’s home life may have been even worse than Harry’s, but regardless he should have been able to know the value of human life. I am sure that not all of the Slytherins he was around wanted to be Death Eaters, yet he chose (in spite of Lily’s many protestations) to befriend those who did and be a part of their group along with its belief system.
But he was still young and everyone makes mistakes. I don’t think I ever could have liked Snape just because of what a mean person he is, but I could have been on his side (kind of like Lupin) if I felt like he had truly learned the error of following Voldemort. But I don’t think he did. When he switched sides it wasn’t because he suddenly thought it was wrong to kill and torture muggles or “mudbloods”, it was because Voldemort decided to kill the ONE person he cared about. Yes, that act caused him to irrevocably switch sides and he proved to be absolutely invaluable in defeating Voldemort, but did he really change? I don’t think he did. I think that at his core he still held the same prejudices that led to him becoming a Death Eater. And that is why I will never think of him as “good”. He was certainly brave and it was really sad when he died, but I think because he loved Lily and because he died he has been raised up much higher than he deserved considering the person he still was.
I love the dialogue this post continues to generate! So fun
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