Severus Snape Character Analysis posts from the April Fool's Prank

[TheArchive]

Severus Snape was not a nice character. He was cruel and mean. He deserved to die.

[Tenshi]

Originally Posted by TheArchive

Severus Snape was not a nice character. He was cruel and mean. He deserved to die.

Well said Ivy, well said. Have some crayons!

[MistressofRaven]

Originally Posted by TheArchive

Severus Snape was not a nice character. He was cruel and mean. He deserved to die.

How insightful

[Daggerstone]

Originally Posted by TheArchive

Severus Snape was not a nice character. He was cruel and mean. He deserved to die.

Man, I wish I was 13 - my record with mods would've been spotless!

[Hes]

Okay chill pill you all! You know that if something offends you, you report and not comment back okay?

[Tenshi]

Originally Posted by Daggerstone

We were getting into semantics, Tenshi - I was just being my usual helpful self. ^_^

"Between us", I think, means "no one else, not just Harry Potter". And if you find the quote I supplied too vague on Snape's feelings about James... I can provide a couple of rather explicit ones.

Not to go down this particular (linguistic) road any further, I do believe DD had ample opportunity to gauge Snape's feelings on James&co (AND the way they affected his attitude to Potter Jr) in those 6 years he watched Sev and Harry interact (if it somehow escaped his notice during the previous couple of decades).

He never revised his decision to appoint him on 'Help me protect Lily’s son' mission, nor insisted Snape should treat the boy with more kindness.

Having promised 'Anything', I don't see how Severus could refuse.

Not that. The "hope" thing. What are you trying to say there? An explanation please?

About James. I don't see James mentioned in that quote so...

[MinervasCat]

I would say that the word "hope" can be interpreted in the statement about Harry's "last hope," in the same way it was in the statement "Help me, Obi-Wan. You're my only hope" Both of the individuals involved are putting their trust in a specific individual because there is nowhere else to turn.

As to Harry's taking off for the Ministry if he trusted Snape. Where, in any of the four previous books do we see Harry not take matters into his own hands and run headlong into dangerous situations? Why should OotP be any different? This doesn't prove a distrust of Snape. It just supports what Hermoine says about Harry's "saving people thing."

[LoonyForMoony]

Originally Posted by MistressofRaven

Again. There is absolutely no canon that Snape was good at cursing right from first grade. The only view we get of Snape in his first year is from TPT, and there is nothing in that chapter that shows that Snape cursed people or even had knowledge of curses.

Actually, Sirius explicitly states that Snape knew more cures and hexes in his first year that most seventh year students did. I understand that Sirius was biased against Snape, but that doesn't mean that his statements can be dismissed out of turn. So, for the purposes of the moment, there's a quote directly from canon stating that Snape actually was proficient in offensive curses from an extremely young age. It isn't as reliable as if it had been contained in the narrative, but neither should it be dismissed simply because it was provided by Sirius- especially since there's nothing that contradicts Sirius's statement anywhere else in canon.

[MinervasCat]

To paraphrase Dumbledore from PoA when Harry, Hermoine, and Ron try to tell him Sirius is innocent: "Who's going to take the word of and 11-year-old wizard?"

How would Sirius know? He never mentions knowing Snape or anything about him on the train. I don't think their families traveled in the same social circles. And, the Blacks would have looked down on Snape as a lowly half-blood.

IMO, whatever Sirius "knew" about Snape before he started school he learned from hearsay. There is only his statement. With all of the memories we see of Snape before he goes to Hogwarts, there is nothing shown that would indicate he is well versed in the Dark Arts. If he was, I'm sure more people than Sirius would have known about it.

[Tenshi]

Sirius didn't say that Snape knew curses before he entered Hogwarts, but that Snape knew them in their first year. I assume that Snape must have studied them for some time to have such a vast knowledge as an 11-year old. Same like Hermione read a lot of books about Hogwarts before she had her first class. It's only natural for kids to be curious and Dark Arts can be attractive for some people. Snape had a bad childhood, with his parents fighting next to him. Maybe he saw it as sanctuary to learn about dark things in his childhood. He was introverted and socially not really engaged with others. Dark Arts as a way to help him cope with his surrounding. I can see it.

[MinervasCat]

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree about that one.

[MistressofRaven]

Originally Posted by LoonyForMoony

Actually, Sirius explicitly states that Snape knew more cures and hexes in his first year that most seventh year students did. I understand that Sirius was biased against Snape, but that doesn't mean that his statements can be dismissed out of turn. So, for the purposes of the moment, there's a quote directly from canon stating that Snape actually was proficient in offensive curses from an extremely young age. It isn't as reliable as if it had been contained in the narrative, but neither should it be dismissed simply because it was provided by Sirius- especially since there's nothing that contradicts Sirius's statement anywhere else in canon.

It also should not be accepted just because he said it. If there was someone else or something in the narrative that proved Sirius's words to be true, I could give more credence to Sirius's words. But all we have are the words of a man who hates Snape. Would you take at face value the words of Draco when he's talking about Harry?

Originally Posted by MinervasCat

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree about that one.

I agree.

[OldMotherCrow]

Originally Posted by Daggerstone

We were getting into semantics, Tenshi - I was just being my usual helpful self. ^_^

I was just wondering what the point you were trying to make was, because it just wasn't clear what you were trying to convey. I still don't understand what you were trying to get at, but I don't really want to get into a semantics discussion if that's all there is to it. It's not a big deal

This is exciting. My first post.


Do you think Snape wanted or needed Harry's forgiveness on some level?

No, I don't think so. If at all, Harry should have asked for Severus's forgiveness.

What do you think would Snape say about Albus Severus?

He would probably hate it. Severus wouldn't like the attention, I think. And this is rather showy.

What would you say was Snape's relationship to other Death Eaters like?
What about Order members (during the second war, which excludes James, Sirius and Lily )?

Neither Death Eaters nor Order members thought highly of Severus. He was socially disadvantaged and a bit awkward. So I think his relationship with all his peers was strained or rather distant. He was always polite though.

Based on how his character is supposed to end up: if you could change/improve one thing about Snape, what would it be?

Nothing. His imperfections make him perfect.

What do you think Snape would have done, if he had survived DH?

Free from all restraints, he may have written a Defense Against the Dark Arts book. I believe this was his passion. It is really sad that JKR killed him before he could live a life away from spying and lying for the greater good.

Do you agree with the author's take on Snape's character as revealed in interviews?

I am not familiar with these interviews, sorry. Where do I find them?

Do you think Snape would have moved on if Lily had not died? Would he have turned to the good side in that case?

I believe he would have. Severus is no murderer. He's good inside. A bit like an Ogre. They are like onions, right?

Snape is revealed to have been acting throughout the series out of love for Lily, how does this effect your view of his actions in the series - his "murder" of Dumbledore, his treatment of Sirius.

They were all justified. Harry, from whose point of view the series is written, was simply mistaken about him and interpreted all his actions in the worst possible way.

Why do you think Snape chose to become a Death Eater?

Because he sought to impress Lily. Ah, misguided youth.

How do the revelations of DH impact your view of Snape's treatment of Harry and Neville throughout the series?

Not at all. Snape tried to help the boys the best he could. But Neville was determinedly stubborn and a danger to his classmates. And Harry was convinced that Snape was always out to hurt him, no matter to what lengths Severus went to save and protect him.


What do you think of Snape's actions after learning who Voldemort had targeted with the prophecy?

He was desperate and tried everything to prevent it from happening. And then he devoted the rest of his life to his love for Lily. I think that's very romantic.

What do you think of Snape's actions after Lily's death. How do you think this death has affected his character?

He was devastated and I believe he never recovered from his loss. I wish she had done more to deserve this devotion. Nevertheless, Snape was a hero.

What do you think are Snape's major strengths? What are his major flaws?

He is intelligent and has a fabulous sense of humour. I don't think he has any real flaws apart from his tendency to take things personally. He's just a very tragic character who struggled all his life with the obstacles that were put in his way.
Do you believe Snape came to care about Harry?

Yes. Harry was Lily's son, of course he cared for him. Harry just never understood it until it was too late for an apology.

What do you think about Snape's relationship with Dumbledore? Did they become friends or was Dumbledore a substitute father figure for him?

Dumbledore manipulated Severus. I don't think he ever cared for him. Snape was just another unloved boy of Hogwarts. He died for the greater good without any recognition of his heroic deeds throughout the years. He deserved so much better. I believe that he deeply respected Dumbledore, even though the man never repaid this trust and respect. He way OK with Snape dying, wasn't he?

Do you think Snape should have been sorted into Slytherin? Would he have made the same choices if he had been sorted elsewhere?

I believe he would have done well in Ravenclaw. We don't know a lot about this house but at least he wouldn't have been bullied and pressured by wannabe Death Eaters.

There are all kinds of bravery in this series, what characteristics of Snape's make him brave? In what sense is he a hero?

I think he is the true hero of the story. Harry's story is comparably one-dimensional.

What line of profession would Snape have chosen if he had not had to stay at Hogwarts as a professor?

A Scientist and professional potions maker, maybe.

[ccollinsmith]

Originally Posted by LoonyForMoony

Actually, Sirius explicitly states that Snape knew more cures and hexes in his first year that most seventh year students did. I understand that Sirius was biased against Snape, but that doesn't mean that his statements can be dismissed out of turn. So, for the purposes of the moment, there's a quote directly from canon stating that Snape actually was proficient in offensive curses from an extremely young age. It isn't as reliable as if it had been contained in the narrative, but neither should it be dismissed simply because it was provided by Sirius- especially since there's nothing that contradicts Sirius's statement anywhere else in canon.

This is the only time I'm going to jump in to the Snape thread before Easter. But since narrative POV is one the literary issues I'm most passionate about, I decided to comment.

If it is the case that a statement is to be considered true unless objectively contradicted, then everything in the text that Snape says about the Marauders should also be taken as true unless it is objectively shown to be false.

But let's try this instead:

How about accepting that nothing any of the partisans say about their enemy should be taken at face value unless specifically confirmed by objective evidence. So if Sirius says something about Severus that is not objectively confirmed, let's consider it unreliable. Likewise, if Severus says something about Sirius that is not objectively confirmed, let's consider it unreliable. Remember: unreliable does not mean untrue. It means not to be taken at face value.

As for whether or not there's anything in canon contradicting Sirius' statements... the fact that despite Sirius' assertion, we see zero evidence of young Severus' "Dark activity" in any of the scenes we see of 9-11 year old Severus, yes, there is an implied - though not objective - contradiction. (For it to be an objective contradiction, we would need to see either just about every scene of young Severus' life or hear from a reasonably objective third party like Dumbledore).

I do think it's telling, however, that JKR builds up the reader to believe that young Severus was heavily into the Dark Arts before arriving at Hogwarts... and then presents no objective evidence whatsoever that this was the case. It's either (imo) a slap in the face to Sirius' assertion, or bad writing on the part of JKR. And I don't think it was bad writing.

At any rate (shameless plug), I've written about this specific narrative POV issue here.

Okay. Back to LS-Snape silence until after Easter.

ETA:

to the Snape thread Ikol!

[ignisia]

Welcome, Ikol!

Nothing. His imperfections make him perfect.

I like that! He's such a fascinating character.

I am not familiar with these interviews, sorry. Where do I find them?

Accio Quote is a good place. Click

Thank you so much for the links and the welcome.

[TheArchive]

Originally Posted by MistressofRaven

How insightful

Insightful?
No. Not really; I was just stating facts.

[staff edit]

[weasley9]

Originally Posted by TheArchive

Insightful?
No. Not really; I was just stating facts.

It's a fact that he was mean. It's a fact the he was a bully. It's also a fact that he deserved to die. I don't see where it takes insight to make any of those statements...

I don't think it's entirely in your place to state that your viewpoint is fact. Respect other people's opinions, please.

Why did he deserve to die?

[Moriath]

Okay, you guys, quick drive-by post before I'm off to bed. Let's try to be more welcoming to new members, all right?

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