Few characters in fiction have sparked so much debate, investigation, and angst in people as Severus Snape. Years after the finale of the Harry Potter series, people are struggling with the same eternal question: “What exactly is Snape?” A hero, a villain, or something else? The answer is in between, and this is why Snape remains relevant.
Severus Snape is one of those characters in pop culture with a reputation for being widely debated. Even years after the last novel and movie were written, talk of this character remains very passionate and highly divisive. While some people view this character as a tragic hero, others just see a tyrannical bully, with most people being forced to occupy a very tricky middle ground.
For most fans, Snape’s flaws are not subtle but rather loud, cruel, and pervasive. His behavior towards students such as Harry, Neville, Hermione, and Ron extends far beyond being a rigorous teacher. Snape publicly demoralizes Neville, sneers at Hermione’s intelligence and appearance, and tortures Harry needlessly in ways that have absolutely nothing to do with performance.
“Snape’s manner is more than sarcasm or tough love; it is emotional abuse. The threat to Neville’s toad, taking pleasure in students’ failure, abusing his authority, these are all characteristics of a man using power to harm. His willingness to have Sirius Black suffer a Dementor’s Kiss shows how personal vendettas have superseded a desire for justice in Snape’s life when he encounters Sirius in subsequent books in this series.”
The bitterness in Snape’s life did not simply spring up overnight. Rather, it is a product of a lifetime of suffering, pain, and regret. His hatred of Harry is inextricably linked with his hatred of James Potter and his enduring, if unrequited, love for Lily Evans Potter. Harry symbolizes all of those things that Snape wants but can never have.
Neville Longbottom emerges as another receptor for Snape’s self-hatred. On a deep level, Snape recognizes that Voldemort might have killed Neville instead of Harry, and Lily might be alive. In other words, Snape recognizes guilt, but rather than working through these emotions, transference occurs with a child. The behavior is rather disgusting but very human.
However, it would be an error to assess Snape solely on his mean nature. Behind this resentful man lurks a very brave individual. As a double agent, Snape is living in constant danger, both from Voldemort, with whom he conspires, and from the Order with whom he collaborates. A single mistake can cost him torture or death.
Snape’s acts of heroism are frequently performed out of sight. He acts in Harry’s first Quidditch game, undermines Umbridge’s interrogations imaginatively, and facilitates Gryffindor’s access to the Sword of Gryffindor. Of course, this in no way lessens Snape’s cruel behavior, not to people he’s helping to keep alive.
Snape’s love for Lily Evans drives all of Snape’s subsequent actions in this trilogy. His love leads him towards redemption, but it does not redeem him. His devotion to Dumbledore and acceptance of being misunderstood are signs of being dedicated to a cause that transcends him. However, love is a reason for decisions, but not a justification for destruction.
One of the most characteristic qualities of Snape is how he embraces hatred. He willingly let the world see a man who is a traitor and a murderer when he knows for a certainty that this truth can never come to light. Such sacrifices reach their highest points when he learns of Harry renaming a son after him and declaring him to be the bravest man he had ever known.
Snape represents this premise because he can be simultaneously very good in some ways but has a lot of flaws. His deeds in this story will actually end up saving the wizarding world, but at the same time, he ends up hurting these children in ways they will never forget. While this Snape may both needlessly harm these children and end up defeating Voldemort in the end with their help, he definitely fails in other areas in which he used to be very good.
As Sirius Black stated in this series, “The world is not divided. Snape persists because he defies easy characterization. His narrative asks a lot of readers: they have to settle into ambiguity and complexity. A reader need not love Snape or forgive him to understand him. And in a series thick with magic and prophecy, Snape continues to be one of the most painfully human elements.