Severus Snape:- A character study

Severus Tobias Snape. It’s a name that sparks fierce debate within the Harry Potter fandom, and fans who are pro Snape (Snovers) are often judged and criticized by those who are anti Snape (Snaters). I’ve never known a fictional character to cause so much dissention. It just goes to show how passionate fans of the Harry Potter franchise are. I’m not going to call either side incorrect. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. What I am going to do, is take you on a journey through Snape’s life, delve deep into his inner psyche and offer my opinion on why I believe Snape is the way he is. This subject has brought so much toxicity to the Harry Potter fandom and I just think it’s so unnecessary. I don’t mind a good, healthy debate – key word there being healthy – but when personal attacks start being thrown about, it can quickly become bullying. Fandoms are supposed to be things we can enjoy, something we can use as an escape from the bullshit of reality.

I’ve written a few Harry Potter fanfictions over the last two years; one about Draco Malfoy and two about Severus Snape. My first Snape fanfic was titled, “Snape’s Elixir.” I used that story to portray Snape in a way I hoped would bring some understanding about his character. Granted it’s a smut fanfic, but in my defense, it is smut with plot. So, I decided it was time to tackle this subject a little more formally and seriously. Both sides of the debate can agree that Severus Snape is a grey character. He struggles, like all of us, with trying to figure out what is the right thing to do. Having an understanding about why Snape behaves as he does by no means condones his behaviour. As a Slytherin myself, I know what it is like to be constantly misunderstood. It sucks. Especially when people won’t even try to understand. Sure, Snape is a fictional character, but I believe we can learn a lot of truth from fiction. We come across all types of people on our journey through life, and it isn’t our place to judge or bully others if they are different to us. Which is why I want to pave the way towards understanding Severus Snape. Perhaps the message will reach across into reality as well.

Not much is known about Severus Snape’s past, and what we do know paints a pretty bleak picture. Born to muggle father Tobias Snape and witch mother Eileen Prince, Severus was a half blood – hence the nickname he gave himself of “Half-Blood Prince.” From the books, we can ascertain that Tobias was a cruel man who Severus states “…doesn’t like much of anything,” and that Eileen, too, was a neglectful parent. As a child, he often wore clothes that did not fit him properly, nor did he seem clean or healthy. Yet despite his mother’s lack of care, Severus related with her most because she was the parent who had magical abilities; and his own magical abilities were something he treasured, something that set him apart from the muggles. Now, it goes without saying that our parents are usually our first insight into human behaviour. Imagine, then, what it must have been like to grow up in a house where you did not know love or compassion, only cruelty, abuse and neglect. What would that do to a young, impressionable child? And yet, Severus still found the courage to approach Lily when he saw that she was also able to use magic. It would have been so difficult to put himself out there like that, probably expecting to get rejected. But he didn't. Lily seemed just as eager to form a friendship as he did. It would make sense, then, that Severus would become attached to her, latching on to the only person who showed him any form of kindness. Some state he became unhealthily obsessed with Lily, and perhaps he did. Like any human, he craved love and affection, so when someone finally gave him that, he grabbed it and held on for dear life, not wanting to lose the only source of happiness he had in his bleak existence. He was in survival mode and Lily became a way to cope. She was his hope that maybe there were better people out there. So, it’s understandable why he might have become obsessed with her. I still don’t know if I agree with the term “obsessed” though. Severus wouldn’t have known how to give or receive love. He’d had no examples to follow and had learned no social skills whatsoever. All he could do was what felt good, and as he had not known what it was like to feel good under any form of circumstance, he would assume that anything that made him feel good was the right thing to do, was acceptable; even if that took the form of an obsession towards Lily. Lily made him feel good. Along with Lily, Severus also met Lily’s sister Petunia, which only served to push him further towards Lily. Petunia was snide and rude with Severus, often picking on him for the way he was dressed, or calling both himself and Lily freaks for being able to use magic.

Snape’s hope that he’d meet more people like Lily were further shattered when he began school at Hogwarts. He’d been looking forward to attending Hogwarts, excited, keen for the chance to be away from his parents and around others who were like him. Unfortunately, two of the first students he met were James Potter and Sirius Black. Severus was sitting with Lily in a compartment of the Hogwarts Express when James and Sirius joined them. The two boys ignored Severus and Lily at first, until they overheard Severus say to Lily that he hoped she would be in Slytherin. James jumped in, the first to speak negatively about Slytherin, delivering the verbal punch that began the rivalry between Severus Snape and the Marauders. “Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I’d leave, wouldn’t you?” James remarks to Sirius. Why did he feel the need to say this? There was no reason for it. Severus had done nothing to him. When James states he wants to be a Gryffindor, Severus retaliates against James’ Slytherin comment with a, “small, disparaging noise.” I don’t think it can be argued about who started the trouble here. James, with his prejudices towards Slytherin, just couldn’t keep his big mouth shut, and it’s all downhill from there. Sirius joins James in mocking Severus, one of them branding Severus with the nickname Snivellus, the nickname that followed him for the rest of his life at Hogwarts.

The Marauders bullying only gets worse as time goes on. Severus is sorted into Slytherin and greeted kindly by Lucius Malfoy (who was a fifth year and Prefect at the time) and other fellow Slytherins when he joins them at the table in the Great Hall. However, due to the fact that the Marauders are so popular, dislike for Severus spreads like wildfire. Only his fellow Slytherins do not follow in their footsteps, therefore, Severus, seeing no other options, cements his loyalty to those who show him a modicum of respect. It just so happened that those people were also Death Eaters. Having been bullied and rejected his entire life, the Death Eaters and the power of their intimidation and dark magic were very enticing. Slytherins are known for their strong sense of self-preservation. Joining with the Death Eaters, in Snape’s mind, was the only way to combat the bullying; the only way to be on the attacking side for once in his life. Sick of being afraid and vulnerable, he longed to be the one people feared for a change. But the Marauders continued to antagonize Severus, until we come to an event that Snaters love to throw at Snovers; that time he called Lily a “mudblood.” Yes, the term was derogatory and one of the worst insults to exist within the Wizarding World, yet take a moment to step into Snape’s shoes. There he is, hanging upside down with his ratty old underpants on display to not only the Marauders, but to all the students who happened to be watching, including Lily; Lily who he loved like he had never loved anyone before. He knew that if anyone were to find out his feelings for her, he would only be made to suffer all the more for it at the hands of the Marauders, from James Potter most of all. In his anger, humiliation and shame, he targeted her, turned on her in an attempt to dissuade anyone from thinking he cared what she saw, or what anyone saw or thought for that matter. It was an attempt to preserve his dignity, and he regretted it instantly. Being in that sort of situation, anxiety levels would have been sky high, causing the body to go into the fight or flight response. You are not in control of what you do when in the fight or flight response. Your body takes over, goes into pure survival mode and will literally do whatever it deems necessary to fight or run for your life. Ask anyone who suffers from anxiety or PTSD. I happen to be afflicted with both myself, so I know first-hand how it works. It’s a horrible experience. Does this condone Snape’s behaviour? No. It merely offers an explanation. He knew he had done the wrong thing and tried to make amends, but Lily would hear none of it. She wouldn’t listen to any explanation, nor was she even willing to try to understand things from Snape’s perspective. I feel that, by this stage, Lily was looking for an excuse to end her friendship with him. As she stated, none of her other friends liked him and were giving her a hard time for even deigning to speak to him. I think Lily began to find it all too hard. Peer pressure is a powerful force. Everyone has the prerogative to make their own decisions on who they socialize with, but outside influences can play a large role in who we choose. Lily had the right to end her friendship with Severus if she wanted to. I just feel she should have gone about things differently, allowed Severus the chance to explain. She knew of his past, how difficult his home life had been. She also knew the Marauders had been making his life a living hell. None of that mattered, though. She’d had enough. Her choice, and her loss in the end.

Lily’s rejection was, I think, the final push that caused Severus to take the Dark Mark. She was the first person who had ever been nice to him, who hadn’t judged him, despite his clothing, awkwardness and appearance. She was someone who he’d thought would be his friend forever, no matter what. Yet despite her rejection, Severus sill sought to protect her from Voldemort. Why? Why, when he had given his loyalty to Voldemort, would he risk himself by seeking out Dumbledore – the wizard Voldemort most detested – to beg him to protect Lily, offering his allegiance in return? Because he was loyal to Lily first. And when Voldemort betrayed him, murdering Lily when he had promised to spare her, Severus realised he had made a mistake in joining with Voldemort. He saw Voldemort then for who he really was; someone who cared for nothing except himself and power. Voldemort had been a symbol of hope for Severus, a saviour, a necessary means to an end. Now, with Voldemort defeated, he set himself to the task of protecting Lily’s son, Harry Potter, perhaps hoping this good deed would make amends for his past. Although, it was not an easy task, protecting someone who reminded him of the reason Hogwarts never turned out to be the reprieve from torment he’d hoped it would be.

Though he did have a strong love for potion making, teaching at Hogwarts wasn’t something Severus wanted to do. His whole life he had spent doing only what he felt he had to do. Slytherins are very good at doing what they have to, even if they do not enjoy what they are doing, they will do it if it is necessary or if it will offer them personal gain. Now, however, he chose to do something he didn’t want to do not just for his own sake, but for Lily’s and for Harry’s as well. Yes, he still carried his angst and bitter disposition, but he was beginning to look outside of himself. As a teacher at Hogwarts, he couldn’t escape his memories of the past, yet he still took on the job. Every day he was reminded of the torment and suffering forced upon him by the Marauders. Nor was he well-liked among the students he taught, either. Truthfully, he really could have done something about that, but I think Severus had developed a fear of getting too close to people. He’d let someone in, once. And she’d rejected him. The only way to prevent being hurt, he concluded, was to keep people at arm’s length; and that meant everyone, no matter who they were. It was a coping mechanism. In the same way, being an asshole can be a coping mechanism used in the hopes of discouraging bullies. By being an asshole, it is hoped that bullies will not view them as a target because they put on the air of someone who won’t react or be hurt by the bullying, thereby taking away the bully’s power over them. Are they healthy coping mechanisms? No. Anyone can see that. But again, he did what he felt he had to do in order to protect himself.

This brings us to the topic of Dumbledore and the relationship of convenience he shared with Severus. While some argue Dumbledore showed Severus kindness, I disagree. Dumbledore formed a relationship with Severus purely for the chance to spy on Voldemort and for assistance in protecting Harry. I don’t believe Dumbledore ever fully trusted Severus, and I think Severus was very much aware of that. Take the scene we are shown between the two in the Deathly Hallows chapter, The Prince’s Tale. They are discussing Dumbledore’s secret activities and meetings with Harry, which we know to be the two trying to locate Voldemort’s horcruxes. Dumbledore says to Severus, “I spend time with Harry because I have things to discuss with him, information I must give him before it is too late.” In reply Severus says, “You trust him… you do not trust me.”

Dumbledore goes on to explain that it isn’t about trust, really, it’s just that he has limited time and therefore it’s imperative he give Harry all the necessary information so Harry can do what he needs to do. When Severus asks why he cannot be made privy to the same information, Dumbledore replies, “I prefer not to put all of my secrets in one basket, particularly not a basket that spends so much time dangling on the arm of Lord Voldemort.”

For Dumbledore to say such a thing was cruel. Severus was only “dangling on the arm of Lord Voldemort” on Dumbledore’s own orders! Another quest – like protecting Harry – that he had chosen to undertake not for his own gain, but for the betterment and salvation of the entire Wizarding World. Severus reminds Dumbledore of this, to which Dumbledore replies with some small praise on Snape’s efforts in his ability to give Voldemort seemingly valuable information, while still keeping the whole truth hidden. “Yet,” Severus responds, “you confide much more in a boy who is incapable of Occlumecy… and who has a direct connection into the Dark Lord’s mind!”

Dumbledore’s excuse for his actions is that Voldemort fears the connection with Harry, because the last time Voldemort shared Harry’s mind was an unpleasant experience. After this, Dumbledore tries to change the subject, bringing it to the matter of what will happen after Severus kills him. Severus becomes angry here, and rightfully so. “You refuse to tell me everything, yet you expect that small service of me! You take a great deal for granted, Dumbledore!”

Severus is right. Dumbledore does take a great deal for granted. Back when Severus asked Dumbledore to protect the Potters and promised Dumbledore “anything” in return, I don’t believe Severus expected to be so obviously taken advantage of. It is clearly explained in the books that committing murder divides the soul; which is how Voldemort succeeded in making his horcruxes. Dumbledore gave this no consideration when asking Severus to murder him in order to keep Draco’s soul whole. Yet, despite asking all these things of Severus, Dumbledore still does not trust him; and despite Dumbledore’s mistrust of him, Severus still does everything Dumbledore asks, even doing everything he could to try and cure the curse afflicting Dumbledore; a result of putting on Gaunt’s ring. So, in conclusion, I believe Dumbledore used Severus, and I believe Severus knew he was being used. Definitely not something encouraging or nice to be aware of. However, I have not yet mentioned Dumbledore’s most unforgivable plan; the one in which he planned all along for Severus to die.

Most people who knew about the Elder Wand believed that one had to kill its current owner in order to become its master. By killing Dumbledore, Dumbledore would have known that Voldemort would then believe Severus to be the master of the Elder Wand. There was no way for Dumbledore to know that it would actually be Draco who disarmed him, and that it would be Harry who would next disarm Draco. Nor did Dumbledore deign to mention that disarming the Elder Wand was enough to be granted ownership. Snape’s life meant nothing to Dumbledore. He was merely a means to an end, a pawn in Dumbledore's game of chess that Dumbledore would milk for all it was worth. Did Severus know all this? Did he know that agreeing to kill Dumbledore would be his own death sentence? He was certainly no fool, so I don’t think it would be impudent of us to believe he connected the dots. Imagine that. Imagine knowing that despite everything you had done for someone, everything you had put yourself through for them, they had still orchestrated your death. Of course, there will be those who will argue that Dumbledore only did what he had to do – just like Severus did what he felt he had to do. Only, the difference here is that Dumbledore did not care who he used, or who died as a result, to achieve his goals. Dumbledore gave zero consideration to anyone else’s life save his own. Even when Dumbledore found out Voldemort had ordered Draco to kill him, saving Draco’s soul was not the only reason he asked Severus to kill him instead. No. Dumbledore was also concerned about the possibility of being captured instead of killed, and subsequently tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange or Fenrir Greyback. He, too, knew the curse from Gaunt’s ring would kill him, probably slowly and painfully. When Severus asked after the fate of his own soul if he killed Dumbledore in place of Draco, Dumbledore answered, “You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation. I ask this one great favour of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish bottom of this year’s league. I confess I should prefer a quick, painless exit to the protracted and messy affair it will be if, for instance, Greyback is involved… Or dear Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before she eats it.”

Dumbledore is willing to risk Snape’s soul here for his own gain. Further, I don’t truly believe Dumbledore was worried for Draco’s soul. There is the idea that one can prevent their soul being split if they can show genuine remorse for their actions. I’ve heard arguments that state even if Severus had murdered people in the past, he showed great remorse for this, which is why he bound himself to Dumbledore and the mission to bring about Voldemort’s demise. This has been used as an argument for why Dumbledore trusted Severus; because Dumbledore witnessed Snape’s remorse, saw him come back from evil and choose to live in the light. But if that were true, if Dumbledore really thought Severus had repaired his own soul with remorse, why did he not think Draco could do the same? Draco was clearly distraught over the fact Voldemort had asked him to kill Dumbledore; the books and movies show this quite distinctly. Therefore, to say Draco would not have experienced genuine remorse if he had gone ahead with the murder is, in my opinion, ridiculous.

Severus lived a truly tragic life of abuse, rejection and betrayal. Though this does not condone his behaviour, I believe it offers a thorough explanation and understanding into why Severus was the way he was. Perhaps if there had been someone genuine in his life, things may have progressed differently. However, he had no one. With only his unpleasant experiences with people, it makes sense why he would be bitter, why he would use every coping mechanism possible to preserve himself from further pain and suffering. There are many people in real life who can relate to Severus Snape. It is my hope that this article not only increases and promotes understanding for Severus Snape’s character, but also for those in real life who are struggling, those who are misunderstood because other’s fail to see their behaviour for what it really is. We cannot know everybody’s story. We cannot know what everyone is going through. All we can do is be kind, because for some people, our kindness may be the only kindness they will ever know.

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