Harry Potter Muggle Thoughts: Is Snape Good or Evil?

Professor Snape, the evil-looking potions master, is one of J.K Rowling's most interesting characters. Who Snape is really loyal to has, throughout the books, been a very grey area. Even after the events of the sixth Harry Potter book Snape's true intentions remain hidden. The events in 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' have resulted in lengthy and details muggle discussions about whether Snape will be revealed as good or evil in the final Harry Potter book.

Here are some thoughts from Harry Potter fans on leakylounge.com.

Reasons Muggles think Snape is Good

One of the most popular argument muggles give to support the Snape is good theory is that on an number of occasions Snape saved Harry's life. The first time Snape saved Harry's live could be attributed to the life debt Snape had with Harry's father, but after the debt was paid it is a little foggy as to why Snape saved Harry's life.

Throughout the books Dumbledore insisted that he one hundred percent trusted Snape even when numerous people expressed their concern about this. Arguments against this could be the Dumbledore himself admitted despite his intelligence he too could make mistakes. However, with Dumbledore's peers continual questions about whether he was right to trust Snape, it is probably unlikely that Dumbledore would have missed a mistake he made on this subject. Dumbledore said he has an iron clad reason to trust Snape.

Snape throughout the books is always helping Harrry, though not in a way that is at first obvious to Harry that it is help. One example of this that muggles give is the events that occur at the end of 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince'. Snape is fleeing the scene with Draco and Harry goes after him. Snape tells Harry that he has no chance fighting a strong wizard until he can block his mind and do non-verbal spells. Snape may do it in a nasty way which could seem like he is evil but why would he help Harry at that point of the story if he was evil?

Reasons Muggles think Snape is Evil

Some muggles believe that there was no pact between Dumbledore and Snape for the events that happened at the end of book six and that in fact Snape's actions were his own and this makes him evil.

Many muggles have suggested that Snape is only loyal to himself and wants both Dumbledore and Voldermort out of the way. Snape has always been after glory and becoming a powerful dark wizard would give him what he is seeking.

The fact the Snape was once a deatheater and has a vast knowledge of the dark arts is another reason to argue that Snape is not good.

In the start of 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' Snape tell Bellatrix the reasons for his behaviour to assure her the he is loyal to Voldermort. Because Snape is such a grey character is it unclear if this conversation reveals his true feelings or if he is just keeping up is image of being evil to protect his spy position.

Perhaps the biggest muggle debate in the Potterverse will surely continue long after the final book is released. Today muggles around the world are attending the trial of Severus Snape and will give their verdict on whether is good or evil. Stay tuned for the full report of this event.

Sources
The Leaky Lounge
http://www.leakylounge.com/index.php?showtopic=48515&st=20