HARRY POTTER-mania!! What would you do if you were SEVERUS SNAPE? You’re in Snape’s position?

Question

We all know that Snape has been in such bitter life. Neglected and abused by his parents. Suffered relentless teasing and bullying from the Marauders. Hung upside down in mid-air, humiliated while other students watched. Have an ugly appearance. Unpopular among his colleagues and most students. Alone and lonely, without true friends to support him. (Well, at least he’s still a gifted and powerful wizard in Harry Potter’s world.)

What do you think then? Do you at least have such sympathy toward him?

Answer 1

I certainly sympathize with Snape for the many negative experiences that he has suffered through. I doubt that the Marauders had as much influence in his decision to become a Death Eater as his upbringing. Like Draco, he went to Hogwarts with preconcieved notions about blood purity and the value of people with different beliefs. Remember, he knew more about the Dark Arts as a first year student than most seventh year students. That sort of fascination speaks of someone that seeks power for self-protection and/or control of others; which isn't something that would concern a typical eleven year old. Snape was probably tired of feeling helpless and determined to learn all that he could to make sure that he never felt that way again.

Based on what we learned about him during his Occlumency lessons with Harry and in Book 6, I've concluded that Severus had a very unhappy childhood. I imagine that his parents were a darker version of Samantha and Darren Stevens (Bewitched), with his Muggle father being insistant that his powerful witch wife abandon her birthright and deny her magical ability. I can't imagine why a Slytherin witch would marry a Muggle in the first place, or put up with his verbal abuse, but apparently Severus's mother chose to. He grew up in fear, witnessing that abuse and possibly suffering it himself, being that he shared her magical ability and would've had uncontrolled episodes. His mother obviously explained to him that she was a Pureblood and that he was a Half-blood, based on the nickname he chose for himself. He clearly resented his father and identified with his mother, and that is what fueled his fascination with the Dark Arts and made him eager to join the Death Eaters - an organization that hates Muggles, values puritiy of blood, and would make him powerful.

The teasing and bullying that Snape tolerated while at Hogwarts, his unattractive appearance, and lack of friends, must have been frustrating for him. It would cause him to focus on his talents though, giving him motivation to invent new spells and make improvements on potions. He'd want to prove them all wrong, that he was worthy of their respect. I can certainly understand the attraction that he felt that the Dark Arts and Death Eaters offered him. I don't know that I would've made different choices, given those circumstances. Voldemort wasn't revealing his true agenda at the time. He cleverly presented a cheerful false image to students and faculty, and appeared to be a hard-working, highly motivated, rule abiding student. He was a prefect and later Head Boy, while he was gathering student followers to serve him as Death Eaters. I'd probably have gladly joined him, initially thinking that I'd finally found someone that understood my situation and would help me change it; from helpless and ridiculed to powerful and feared. Of course, he is clever enough to discover that Voldemort is actually a sociopath that won't hesitate to torture or even kill his followers if they disappoint him or attempt to leave his service. So, now he is stuck, unable to simply quit and walk away, but I believe that he is looking for a way out. I know I would be. That would mean carefully assisting Harry, so that he could fulfill the prophesy and kill Voldemort, and thus free him of his obligation to him. If he is sucessful, Snape can admit his role in making that possible and finally be acknowledged as the hero he is. If he failed, then everyone knows how much Snape truly hated Harry and he could continue in his role of faithful Death Eater. That would be my plan.

Answer 2

of course we have sympathy for Snape.. as does Harry! especially when he had conflicting feelings about his own father, James, due to what he saw in Snape's mind during occlumency. altho it is easier for him to "hate" snape because of how he is treated, deep down harry also knows that snape had a horrible youth, and was treated unfairly.

in the end, however, sympathy only goes So Far. of course the things he says and the way he treats harry gives him the "right" to Hate Snape..... regardless of how sad his life was, how little love he had gotten from his parents, etc. in the end, it is how each person deals with their problems and comes out of it. look at harry, alone, an orphan, w/ family who hated him and treated him like crap.... he learned somehow to keep a positive outlook on life, and to work hard at becoming a Loyal, Good friend and person. he's not perfect, but he has Values and Morals for himself, and who he wants to be.

so, of course book 7 will reveal whether or not snape was Good or Evil. but no one can deny that he is a complex character and that a lot of things in his life had gone wrong and had led him towards a negative path.

Answer 3

sympathy no as sympathy only weakens, penetrates in itme through the walls of strength; whereas, empathy sees and works with the whole picture. Don't forget Snape did care very deeply for his own house - Slytherin.
There is more to Severus Snape than meets the eye.

Answer 4

It's a personal choice. Everyone has different likes and dislikes. You're thinking, how can someone prefer Harry Potter over Lord Of The Rings, but other people might wonder why you prefer Lord Of The Rings over Harry Potter. It's a matter of opinion and taste. But everyone should enjoy watching the movies they love and reading the books they love.

Answer 5

I have a lot of sympathy towards him. Infact, he doens't typically come off as such a mean git to me. He's guarded, jaded, and waiting for the next shoe to drop. He doens't like Hermione (imo) because everybody else is getting by on her intelligence. He doesn't like the Weasly's because their father fought against him - and they (as purebloods) know what he's done. Also, it probably doesn't help that he thinks they should be of a higher class rank than they are. He doesn't like harry because of the sins of the father, but that's understandable - as somone who has been there - incluidng the hung upsidedown for the kids to laugh at.

I think I'd rather be nice to him over and over and gain his trust and be his friend, (as a teacher) than anything else. But, that's just me. i'm nice that way - and a sucker for the broken.

Answer 6

I love Snape. I think he is a deeply unhappy individual and doesn't bother hiding that fact. Sure, he sucks as a teacher, but he still deserves chances. I really hope that he survives the war.

Answer 7

I where Snape I would take a bath he's disgusting and greasey. And I hate him, I would have been helping the Marauders.

Answer 8

Snape is an evil murderer.
All of those things, except maybe his parents, he caused himself, through his own actions.

Answer 9

I have a great deal of sympathy for him. I can relate to a lot of what he went through. All that hate and anger though doesn't do him any good. He needs to let it go.

Answer 10

Sympathy yes, but it's made him who he is. He's the best potions teacher and it probably made him that way. Oh, and Dumbledore isn't dead. Snape is actually on the good side and Hermione will die.