Severus Snape: Harry Potter Character Analysis

We love to hate villains! In the Disney classics, we can't wait to see them fall. On television, we can't wait for them to get cornered; however, in movies, we sometimes want to find something redeeming about them and that is the case with J. K. Rowling's Severus Snape.

In J. K. Rowling's first Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the naïve Harry encounters Potions Master Severus Snape and quickly learns that the dear Professor absolutely despises him. Harry does not know why, but quickly does not care. He assumes, as do we, that Severus Snape is sneaky as he is greasy. Suspicions of attempted murder, trickery and larceny follow Snape, who is unaffected by the Hogwarts' students ire. However, by the end of the first book, we learn something important and intriguing about Professor Snape. Despite his hatred for Harry, he attempted to save him.

Through books two and three, Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry and the Potter fans learn that Snape's hatred for Harry is connected to his father, James Potter. James and Snape attended Hogswarts at the same time and loathed one another. Through a series of jinx, curses and pranks, they mutually terrorized each other. The puzzle about Snape's hatred unfolds. We know that Harry looks like his father and shares some of his mischievous ways. For these reasons, Snape renews his revenge of James on Harry. But, Snape's actions seem almost beyond reasonableness. Still, Snape lingers in the wings secretly protecting Harry and his friends.

By Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Rowling offers a bit more insight into Snape. We learn that he's a loner, that he's rarely trusted (other than by Dumbledore), that he came from a very unhappy home, and that he was clearly embarrassed by a seemingly malicious James Potter. Snape appears to be more of a product of his environment. Even though he hates Harry, he consents to teach him occulmency, the power of closing the mind to external attack; as expected, the lessons cease after Harry eyes one of Snape's very deeply painful memories - involving Harry's father. We begin to hope that there is some goodness in Snape. We want to trust him just as Dumbledore does. Or, at least understand why Dumbledore thinks Snape is not reverting back to his old Deatheater ways.

Through Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, we learn about Snape's role in the ultimate murder of Harry's parents, and his passion for the Dark Arts. We also experience what seems to be the ultimate betrayal. At the close of the sixth book, Snape kills the unarmed and weakened Dumbledore and escapes with the Deatheaters. Harry on his ultimate quest to defeat Lord Voldemort also vows to kill Snape as well.

Snape plays his cards close to the vest. We learn that he is a clever double agent and that his ultimate loyalty never was with Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort or even himself. His actions were always about his one true love and the pain of that loss. Ultimately sacrificing himself, Harry discovers that Snape's truest motivations were a mix of remorse and undying love for Harry's mother, Lily, his childhood friend. It was Lily's unnecessary death that motivated him to protect her only son and to seek the end of Lord Voldemort, her murderer.

Severus Snape represents the darkness that molds us. From neglect child to miserable loner, Snape valued love above all else. His fall from grace and ultimate redemption make him one of the most interesting and enjoyable characters in the Harry Potter series.