Since the first Harry Potter In the movie, Severus Snape was presented as a villainous figure, but once the final installment was released, viewers learned that his intentions were never evil – leading to the endless debate about whether Snape is good or bad. The Harry Potter Series tells the story of Harry and Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who has evil plans for the Muggle and Wizarding worlds and a personal vendetta against Harry. The books have been adapted into blockbusters, and the Harry Potter movies released between 2001 and 2011 with the final novel, The Deadly Hallowsdivided into two parts.
with these Harry Potter Reboot series at Max in development, it is worth trying to understand whether Snape is good or bad. Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) was the potions master at Hogwarts when Harry, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger arrived, and quickly positioned himself as an enemy of the trio, especially Harry. However, after the discovery in Deathly Hallows That all he wanted to do was protect Harry from Voldemort when rewatching the movies it is easier to catch all the subtle hints that he is not a villain at all.
Snape gave away his intentions in Sorcerer’s Stone
Clues were revealed in the first scene of Snap
The first few clues that help audiences understand whether Snape was good or bad Harry Potter movie/book. The first clue happens during Snape’s introduction. In Snape’s first appearance during the Sorting Hat sceneHe reacts when he sees Harry in discomfort due to the pain of the boy’s scar and turns to look at Quirrell. This is significant, as Quirrell was later revealed to be hiding Voldemort, and many interpreted the moment as Harry’s scar burning because of Snape.
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Later, during Harry’s first Potions class, Snape asks Harry what he would get if he “Added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood“, which fans have found a secret meaning (via Tumblr): Asphodel is a type of lily meaning, “my regret follows you to the grave”, and wormwood means “away” and is associated with bitter sorrow. Together, the two would Mean, “I bitterly regret Lily’s death.” When considering whether Snape was good or bad, it is uncertain if JK Rowling meant to include this in the text or if it was just a happy accident.
Snape saved Harry in the Quidditch match
Hermione scolded Snape for trying to jinx Harry’s broom
The next clue as to whether Snape is good or bad is during Harry’s first Quidditch match. During the game, Quirrell was jinxing Harry’s broom, however Hermione mistakenly believed it was Snape As he was whispering something while staring at Harry. Snape was actually trying a counter spell, and Hermione’s fire distracted both, breaking the jinx.
When watching the film, Quirrell can be seen in the background muttering to himself, even though the camera is focusing on Snape.
This was yet another misdirection on the part of the filmmakers and Rowling. In the novel, Hermione ends up beating Professor Quirrell after setting Snape’s robes on fire and breaking his eye contact, thus breaking the jinx. When watching the film, Quirrell can be seen in the background muttering to himself, even though the camera is focusing on Snape.
Snape shields Harry and his friends from harm
The teacher protected the trio from Remus Lupine
More clues to answer whether Snape is good or bad can be found yet Saucer’s stone. Jump to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanSnape once again showed that he cared about Harry Wen He automatically pictured Harry, Ron and Hermione as Remus Lupine turned into a werewolf.. This is one of those moments that paints Snape in a completely different light.
throughout the year, Lupine managed to take his wolfsbane potion so that he could remain cognizant while still in his werewolf form. However, amid the chaos of Sirius returned and found Pettigrew, that night he forgot. As Lupine begins to transform, Snape throws himself directly in front of the trio.
Snape’s hesitation in killing Dumbledore
Snape killing Dumbledore was Dumbledore’s own plan
One of the biggest moments that make audiences question if Snape is good or bad is when he kills Dumbledore. Before it was later discovered that his death was pre-planned, many were leaning towards the latter setting. However, when watching the scene, there are other clues that viewers may have missed.
in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceWhen Snape killed Albus Dumbledore, there was a certain hesitation in his voice, which is seen as an involuntary reaction that shows that he does not kill him out of malice. actually, Dumbledore and Snape planned the former’s death In the hands of the latter, as part of the bigger plan of Snape earning Voldemort’s trust.
Why Snape’s true nature was hidden
Snape protected Harry out of love for Lily
The reason for Snape appearing as a villain in the Harry Potter Series is not only to mislead the audience but also a result of PTSD. The books and movies mention that Harry has his mother’s eyes, Which was triggering to Snape, because of his feelings for Lily and how badly James Potter and his friends treated him.
Snape, therefore, protected Harry from love for Lily but inevitably projected his hatred of James onto him. All the hints and subtle details point to Snape’s real intentions throughout the Harry Potter Series are what make Severus Snape such a complex character.
He wasn’t evil but Snape was still kind of a villain
Which makes Snape one of the most interesting characters in the Harry Potter Franchise is that even with the revelation that he is not evil and protects Harry, he is still not a “good guy.” From Snape’s first appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneHe does not hide his contempt for Harry. Although he protects the boy out of love for his mother, it is clear that Snape sees too much of Harry’s father in him to really soften towards him.
He’s meant to be a professional teacher, but he can’t control his emotions enough to be a decent educator to Harry.
Snape’s mistreatment of Harry is even more noticeable in the books, viz Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Features many instances of Snape going out of his way to punish Harry, treating him more harshly and differently than the other students. He’s meant to be a professional teacher, but he can’t control his emotions enough to be a decent educator to Harry. Dumbledore even admits to Harry at the end of the book that it is likely that Snape hates him.
Snape’s treatment of Harry is so harsh and unfair that the story is able to undo the fact that Snape’s character was redeemed in the first installment. Snape was seen as the main suspect as the main villain in the first Harry Potter Adventure, and while it was revealed that he was looking for Harry the whole time, he goes back to being so cruel that the audience starts to question if he is a villain after all.
This is not a fault of the story, but a way to show that Snape is a more complex character inside Harry Potters story of good and evil.