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Who is Severus Snape: The Good, the Bad and the Bizarre

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Professor Snape is one of the most enigmatic characters in the Harry Potter series.  Here are links to the best essays, editorials and theories about the character we love to hate.

New Feature:  You can now vote for your favorite theories and even add links to your own.

This portrait of Snape was made by Makani.

Update:  Near the bottom, I've added a link to my new lens about Jo Rowling.  Be sure and vote whether she should win the Noble Prize for Literature. 

Please update this lens!!!!

I know I need to update this lens. (It's just been a busy school year.)

We now know that Snape was following Dumbledore's orders throughout the series. (I still think he was a bad, bad man!) We also know his ultimate fate.

What should I now do with this lens? Please post your ideas here.

  • LissaKlar Jan 13, 2011 @ 7:27 pm | delete
    Ooh ooh I know I know! Put a Severus Snape quiz on here, I'll favorite the quiz and when you send out the Squidcast, I'll get it and do the quiz.
  • Margo_Arrowsmith Dec 19, 2010 @ 2:43 pm | delete
    He was a complex person with a heart of gold or at least a sense of responsibility
  • JaguarJulie Dec 16, 2010 @ 9:41 am | delete
    Hey Hey Hey Monkeybrain ... how bizarre! Time to update this incredibly incredible lens.
  • pet_girl Feb 3, 2008 @ 2:05 am | delete
    nope. he's just acted as a jerk the whole time...
  • coolandy Jan 25, 2008 @ 2:09 am | delete
    It'll be good if u just put up a biography on Snape like that of Wikipedia. At least Squidoo can be a new encyclopedia for those who want to know more about Snape.
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This lens is a proud member of the Room to Read - Harry Potter fundraising group. A purchase made from any of the participating lenses helps raise money to build schools and libraries in developing countries.

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Severus: Disguised Good Guy?

Acciobrain Homepage
A lot of HP fans feel that the Professor is misunderstood and misjudged. He has had to do some unpleasant things in order to go deep undercover. He doesn't like doing those things but has sacrificed his reputation and his comfortable job for the higher good. . .

Here are a number of links to essays and editorials that are in the "Pro-Snape" camp. This is your opportunity to vote them up or down (or even add your own.)

I found these essays at: The Leaky Cauldron's Scribbulus, Mugglenet's Editorial Page and The Harry Potter Lexicon's Essays.

This sketch is of a teenage Severus also made by Makani.

Note: Before voting you need to become a member of Squidoo. Don't worry it's free, easy and you can even make a little money for yourself or your favorite charity.

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Severus Snape: Not Voldemort's Man

A Mugglenet editorial by Anthony Goldstein4 points

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Snape and Dumbledore on the Tower: A Defense of Snape by Carol T. — deathly hallows, avada kedavra, astronomy tower | Gather

It's simplistic to think of a character as complex more...3 points

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Senco Nail Gun

Here you will find very informative information ab more...2 points

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OCTATINUM

OCTATINUM - THE INFORMATION SOURCE2 points

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Dumbledore's Man

A Leaky Cauldron Essay1 point

view all 27 links

Denial Defined

From Dictionary.com

An unconscious defense mechanism used to reduce anxiety by denying thoughts, feelings, or facts that are consciously intolerable.

Evidence to the Contrary

There are not as many essays arguing that Snape is basically bad. So as evidence you can always check out. . .
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Snape is Evil

Nasubionna's Harry Potter Tribute
Many people believe that Snape showed his true colors in Half Blood Prince.

Here are a number of links to essays and editorials that are in the "Anti-Snape" camp. This is your opportunity to vote them up or down.

This sketch of the Potions Master was made by Laura

Don't forget to add a link to your favorite theory using the "Add a link" button.



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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Antagonist

A Mugglenet editorial by Melissa Walker1 point

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Half Blood, Half Prince Looking for the Good in Severus Snape

A Leaky Cauldron Essay by towerdweller0 points

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Snape is Evil

A Mugglenet editorial by Tracie Rubeck0 points

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On Snape's Evilness

A Mugglenet editorial by Nathan Coblentz0 points

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Machiavelli's Prince and J.K. Rowling's Snape

A Leaky Cauldron Essay by Andrew Cooper
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The Marks of a Villain

A HP Lexicon Essay by Beth Welsh0 points

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TeePee Tent

Teepee tent is a conical tent traditionally made o more...0 points

Your Thoughts

Do you think Snape is good or bad?

Note: You do not need to be a member of Squidoo to post comments. But please keep them family friendly.

  • pheonix76 Apr 27, 2011 @ 9:24 pm | delete
    I think Snape was just a very sad person (but good) --- he had trouble fitting in and was bullied in school, PLUS he lost the girl he loved to his arch-enemy James Potter. I think all these things made it hard for him to trust people and made him start down an evil path, but he eventually redeemed himself. Dumbledore trusted him immensely, that is saying something....he also had enough courage to turn away from Voldemort. Who else did that in the series? No one.
  • LissaKlar Jan 13, 2011 @ 7:24 pm | delete
    Even though Snape may have redeemed himself, he only did the right thing because he loved Lily Potter. If not for her he would've definitely been BAD!! Furthermore, I think he enjoyed doing all the mean stuff he did to Harry. He was not the least bit nice to him and I don't think harry should've *spoiler alert* named one of his kids after him.
  • Margo_Arrowsmith Dec 19, 2010 @ 2:44 pm | delete
    I like Snape, but he was clearly the red herring in all the books
  • Margo_Arrowsmith Dec 19, 2010 @ 2:44 pm | delete
    I like Snape, but he was clearly the red herring in all the books
  • gakusei Aug 18, 2010 @ 12:43 am | delete
    Snape is half-redeemed. He loved deeply long after the object had gone. Given his rough childhood, Snape's ability to love like that is admirable. BUT. He didn't fight with Dumbledore against Voldemort for any higher good or moral reason--it was all for Lily after she was threatened and murdered. Snape joined Voldemort as a Death Eater while Lily was alive and disapproving of his choice. Lily became Snape's only moral compass, but his regard for her never extended to loving what she loved, or to higher moral conclusions about Voldemort. Though he fought to the very end to protect Harry, he remained bitter, hateful, cold-hearted, and an over-grown bully--things Lily had heartily disliked about him. Snape's love saves him but it doesn't transform him.

    The true resolution of Snape's character does not come from Snape himself but from Harry, who names his first child after him, showing Harry's forgiveness and respect of someone who had loved his mother. Harry has a greater love than Snape did, in that he had the grace to recognize a higher good, and to move beyond himself and personal hurt to embrace his erstwhile enemies.

    Snape is another extension of the theme of sacrificial love in the books. His story shows that even "damaged goods" who remain unsavory need not be strangers to the power of love.
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The Bizarre

Accio Brain
There are the occasional theories that are just bizarre. Please post more and vote on your favorite.

Note: Please only post theories based on canon (no fan fiction). I prefer to analyze the stories as they were written by Jo Rowling. I also want to keep my sites family friendly--in case my students find them.

Drawing made by Makani.







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Slythering Snape - An editorial by Mr. and Mrs.

A Mugglenet editorial by Mr. and Mrs.0 points

T-Shirts and More

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Other Characters

Be sure to check out these other lenses about various HP characters.

Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters has some history, some quizzes for readers and even a list of some of the members of this secret society.

Remus Lupin includes background information on Remus, Jo Rowling's thoughts on the characterand quotes "straight from the werewolf's mouth."

About Jo Rowling

I've started a series of lenses about Jo Rowling. (Right now there is only one.)

Don't forget to vote whether you think Jo should win the Noble Prize for Literature.
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Other HP Lenses

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Dedication

All of my Harry Potter lenses are dedicated to my sister, Kelly. After struggling for thirty years, she has lost her battle with the dementors.

In her memory I make a monthly donation to Room to Read from the proceeds from my Harry Potter lenses.

More Fan Art

Lisa Rourke HP Fan ArtHere is some artwork created by Lisa Rourke. Click on picture to go to her site.

Even More Fan Art

Lisa Rourke HP Fan ArtHere is some artwork created by Lisa Rourke. Click on picture to go to her site.

Disclaimer

All copyrights and trademarks for the Harry Potter characters, names, and all other related stuff are owned by J. K. Rowling and the very nice people at Warner Bros.

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boredofeducation

Hello world. I teach High School Math and am a big Harry Potter fan.  All of my (good) lenses have something to do with the Harry Potter books, movies,... more »

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