Winter 2003
I love him very much! I don´t know why. Really! I think his visual is the prettiest in the wizard's world!!!!! He was weak, when he was fifteen. Maybe, it is the why I love him!!!!!!!!!!!
I know the main attraction for myself is dark, moody snarky brilliance. I've never been interested in handsome men. I'm much more interested in their character and in their brains. Snape is brilliant with a sharp mind and a sharper tongue. He's a loner. He's a spy which fufills the mystery requirement. We don't know much about him. We don't know why he's a death eater. We don't know his past. We don't know his true motivations. He seems like the type that would be a good lover, a passionate and demanding lover with a little bit of rough and tumble. He's arrogant, but not in the way good looking men are arrogant. He's arrogant because he's brilliant and he's powerful and he knows it. He demands respect. For all his darkness and snarky remarks, he does save Potter's ass repeatedly AND Dumbledore trusts him. Which speaks volumes to me; Snape must not be the completely evil git he'd like us to believe he is. Because he slips sometimes and loses control and we get to see a glimpse of the boy he might have been. We get to see the chinks in his armor. We get to see that he's human.
Do we care really that he's an utter bastard? I, myself, don't have any patience for abusive men, but abusive men tend to be those with fragile self esteem and huge egos. I don't see Snape as having a fragile ego. Would he treat the woman in his life well? Would we put up with Snape like behavior in real life? Maybe. Maybe not.
My attraction to Snape has nothing to do with Alan Rickman. I find Alan Rickman sexy, but not as Snape. It bothers me that he's cast as Snape. And I don't think it has as much to do with Rickman as it does with the characterization of him in the movies. I keep my literary lover Snape very separate from the movie Snape.
There is much more I'm sure. The character has been in constant evolution for me. I find it fascinating that I have become almost completely obsessed with this fictional man and I suppose I've created him into the ideal lover. Something rather out of character for me. What I perceive today might not be the same 6 months from now. But I've learned a lot about myself in the process, so it can never be said that such a hobby is a waste of energy. Thanks for the site. Great job.
Well I think I love him because he is so hot with that black hair, and he is so dark, and bad, and I like that bad mood that he is always with! And he's so smart, I can't describe what I feel, but I know that I want to marry a guy like him, and be always between his legs... He is amazing,and it's great to know that he has a lot of fans, because my friends always say: "Hey ! You like Severus Snape? Are you crazy? Gilderoy is the cutest!"
His darkness and the evil-minded way of teaching and treating students makes me shiver. For some odd reason that's also the main reason why I adore him so much and what makes him so darn attractive!
I would like to look to the fact that little is known about Snapes past. I always wondered about what could make him so cold? Some lost love or a unloving family? The man has such an unexplored past that one could never think of all the possibilities! I always am creating new ideas that make me think about who Severus Snape really is. Is he is really evil or was there something that made him that way and he is just hiding in his own sorrow?
I think of Snape just a person searching for someone who will understand him. But he always pushes people away as he most likely is afraid of someone hurting him. Why did he leave Voldermort? There must have been something that brought his eyes up to see the darkness he had found. So he must have some heart, possibly a small one like the grinch but even a small heart is a heart none the less.
I love Snape because sometimes I feel sorry for him, all I said before I can only think of the sad past he had that made the way he is in the series. Its enough to make a writers head whirl! So this is Watson, saying- I love Snape!
I can't stop thinking about him. Aside from his voice, dreamy, I fell in love with the way he portrays not only the character in the movie, but himself as well with the long black hair and the black clothing, plus the attitude is a plus as well. Well, I'm going to make this short, because I want to watch the movie now.
I guess I love Snape because of one thing. He doesn’t love himself. In the second film and book you have Gilderoy Lockheart, and I must say what a joke, He loves himself and he thinks he is above all others, but Snape, being very smart and to-himself is nothing like this and can easily see through the petty image of people who think they are the best. I hate people who love themselves, but with Snape, he doesn’t love himself and he doesn’t exaggerate his abilities. I also like a man who is mysterious.
I find it very fascinating that so many of your correspondents find Severus tall, dark and handsome, sexy and somehow virile. Rowling's descriptions of him include sallow skin, yellow teeth and greasy hair, and a hooked nose (whatever that means exactly). Snape hisses and spits when he talks. Obviously Alan Rickman's portrayal is a romanticized one.
Why I love Snape? I guess because of his mysterious quiet personality...
He's more than the eyes could see, he's strong, loyal, brave and clever...however he prefers to work alone and in silence...much like me I guess :P
Yes, he's mean and grumpy all the time and gives Harry and his friends really hard time, but his mysterious character has strange power, gives him a special aura
I need to remind myself that Severus and Alan Rickman are not the same when I try to explain why I love him. Because first off all I'm an AR fan.
It's right that Severus has a cold exterior that is difficult to overcome. But it's because he doesn't want to show himself as weak. He has passion. We can see that for moments, when he's so angry that he can't remain in control (even if it's for just a second).
He is sensual. (yes, I'm not insane) When he explains to the students the ways of potion making (first class, first year) he definitely shows a sensual point of view... "subtle science... art... the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron... delicate power of liquids... bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... " all this are very sexy and appealing words, indeed.
Maybe his appearance is not "good looking" or "attractive" but it is not what I seek in a man (even if I like Kenneth Brannagh as an actor, I hated Gilderoy 'cause of his "pretty face and smile").
I can think of him as a man who likes challenges, a man you can win by challenging his mind (and why not his senses). He is not the type for sugary love (as I'm writing this I remember the scene in the second book about Valentine's day hehehe), but that doesn't mean that he can't love. I think he needs to respect the woman and see her as an equal first.
He is an intelligent man, who likes logic and order. He can be sarcastic but I don't think he can hurt people.
Stupidly as it sounds, as I re-read what I wrote, I realize that at some level I'm describing myself. Someone can say I'm projecting, and maybe I am, 'cause I find him to be (as I said before) what I seek in a man.
We know he is a tormented guy, and we all (the women in your site) want to be there for comforting him and stop his loneliness. To prove that he can trust us, that he can show us his real him and that we won't laugh or think he's weak.
Trying to think myself as a student in Hogwarts, I see me as part of Ravenclaw (sorry). I would be attracted to him so baldly! But yet, my way of approaching would be: trying to prove him I'm as smart, clever, and sarcastic as he is. (That's why I think Hermione is someone who can win his heart... if she stopped being so damn stupid... sorry about that)
Now about Rickman... the looks and the voice...
If you add to all the qualities I see in Snape, to the voice Rickman has, it makes the perfect man (for me at least). He is handsome, he gives a figure to Snape's soul that completes it.
I adore the man....the hair, the clothes, the attitude, the smoothness of each delivery the cutting remarks, the way he holds himself high (in words) and couldn't care less what anyone thinks.
Yes, I would have fancied him.....why, character and quick to the quip. He is just adorable.....I've watched and read it many times for his lines.
I think the reason I'm so attracted to Severus Snape is his past and the way he hides it. His complexity. His past is unknown really, though because of Order of the Phoenix we know it was something gone wrong. He seems to be very deep, and very sad, and maybe if people tried to get past his exterior they'd find a very likable man. Maybe a good friend.
Its like he was hurt and doesn't want to get close to anyone like something has been rotting inside him. In the book I'm not sure why no one like us is there, idolizing him. Or why someone isn't seeing him like we do.
Maybe it's because were getting more of the picture.
I hope Ms. Rowling continues this Snape saga. So that we might learn more of him and his past. And I'm hoping that by the last book, he will get the justice he so rightly deserves.
Personally I don't see him as dark and scary, although I know that is a draw for a lot of people. He is described over and over in the most pathetic of terms by the other adults in the books, especially members of the James Potter Posse. In fifth book we finally see the source of the character: his wretched home life, the scorn and ridicule of his peers (especially Potter and his cronies). Ironically enough, He suffers the same type of background as Harry in that regard (as well as Tom Riddle) but unlike the other two, he for some reason does not happen to gain the support he needs from one of the popular kids to become himself popular. One must wonder if Remus Lupin, had James not believed it was "cool" that he was a werewolf, would have made a parallel development.
Snape as an adult still suffers the pangs of his childhood. Dumbledore refers to his unhealed wound in The Order of the Phoenix. Snape (like Sirus and other adult characters) has been unsuccessful in separating Harry from his father. Although Snape started out the series as a rather unimportant boogie man, he has developed into a sympathetic character for those who have ever felt left out, demeaned, or victimized by our peers (isn't that most of us at one point or another?). Let's face it, Snape, in his time, was pretty much the Hogwarts nerd.
The movies have added an entirely new dimension to the character. I don't think I would have personally chosen Allen Rickman for the part, even though he is genius in his acting, only because he undermines the physical characteristics in the books which mark Snape as a nerd. I wonder how much of the adult demographic would find Snape as appealing if he were portrayed by a different actor.
I think it is the underage fan which has managed to characterize Snape most interestingly, completely abandoning the images from the book in order to make him a worthy romantic hero. The amount of drawings of Snape as young and attractive is rather astounding, as are the number of cross genre illustrations (especially the japanimation drawings).
Unknowingly, these young fans have turned Snape into the Byronic Hero, Something I am confident Rowlings did not intend (it will be interesting to see what she does with it, however). Snape's character so far lacks the strength in independence that the Byronic hero requires. Snap's conflicts and his transition from Death Eater to member of the Order of the Phoenix seems to indicate more of his child-like weakness before any real display of power and authority (as he backs down to Mad Eye on the steps of Hogwarts in the Goblet of Fire). Far from being a hero, Snape is still trapped in his childhood, unable to develop the self assurance to stand in a position of adult strength, rather he relies on bullying and sarcasm in order to get his way with those younger and presumably weaker than himself.
LOL now, listen to me, going on about the psychology of the characters as if they were, in fact, real! I think that one of the things that makes these books so endearing to both children and adults is the very real development of the psyches of the characters. The personal motivations of the characters, their reactions to abandonment, scorn, temptation, and all of the normal crisises associated with adolescent angst, they are all wonderfully IMMEDIATE to the reader. They are not things we have to delve into or analyze to enjoy, but evoke those familiar feelings in ourselves.
I also find it rather amusing that according to your site, Rowlings states that she avoids classic plots and characters. I think she may consciously TRY to do that, but, in fact, we are all influenced by what we read and our social myths.
examples:
- Harry vs. Voldemort. Classic mono-myth. judeo-christian overtones. Son of the Favored One comes up against the Great Evil (what is more classic than that?)
- again, Harry vs. Voldemort: Beowulf, the division of the individual into good and evil. Harry IDENTIFIES with Voldemort for their sameness: appearance, background, etc. Harry and Voldemort can be seen as two sides of the same person, split into two characters for the books. Note also that the individuality begins to blur by the end of the Goblet of Fire when Riddle acquires Harry's blood, and that it disappears with The Order of the Phoenix in Riddle's nearly constant presence in Harry's mind.
I believe Snape has become popular not only for what is IN the stories about him, but what isn't. As a background character he doesn't have the depth of Harry or Ron or Hermione. For those prone to fantasy, that leaves a lot to build on. For those prone to analysis, that leaves a lot do delve into. I've sat with some of my less educated friends at poolside and listened to them argue over whether or not Severus had a "thing" for Lily Evans, and whether or not simple sexual jealousy was the cause of his hated of James Potter. I've heard my gay friends arguing over the relationship between Lucius Malfoy and Snape, citing the movies (but couldn't cite text) for argument of a homosexual relationship. There is enough of Snape that is "us" that we can fill in the unknowns with "us" and come up with a character who we literally IDENTIFY with.
So, why do I like him?
- his looks.. Dark, elegant, with style.. JK Rowling describes him as "a thin man man with sallow skin, a hooked nose and greasy, shoulder-length black hair". However, in the movie he is not thin (well, not VERY thin), and his hair looks clean to me. I must say, seeing the movie made me like him more. I think the choice for handsome Alan Rickman is the reason for many people to like him. On a more personal note, I always like men with long dark hair and a somewhat mysterious look.
Examples: Michael Jackson in his Ghosts movie, or in general when
he had long hair. In Ghosts he is very mysterious, has a sense of
humour, is stone-cold but not unfair or unreasonable. another example:
Freddie Mercurym, in his long hair period. Genius, distant,
attractive, seductive.. what a pity he's dead and gay..! Another example:
Valensia.. you propbably don't know him, but check
www.valensia.com for pictures and you'll
see. Sometimes he has that Mr Mysterious Snape-like look, though his
character is quite different. another example: Johnny Depp in general
but especially in Sleepy Hollow or Edward Scissorhands. It's
especially the dark look, the dark past.. this entices me.
- About
perspective. In HP we always have the perspective of Harry. We never see
things from Ron's point of view. We only know what Harry knows. Here
are books that use more perspectives. It's a useful tool to consider.
Anyway, characters who need to be mysterious are NEVER used for
perspective. By reading their mind, they lose their secrets and mysteries
to us. With mysterious characters, we must always UESS their
motives. When the author reveals these motives, that is exciting,
because the reader has been wondering about that. JK Rowling reveals
her bits and pieces about Snape very slowly, that's what keeps him
interesting. For me after reading book 5, the mystery about Snape's
past as a Death Eater and his returning to the Good Guys is the most
interesting
issue for book 6 & 7!
- He is also mysterious because
he shows so little of his feelings. He show irritation, satisfaction,
and sometimes anger (hardly
distinguishable from irritation), but never pain
or grief, love, relief, gratitude, glee, and only once a glimpse of
fear. He knows very well which feelings he wants to show the world. I
would like to know how he acts when he is alone with Dumbledore. I
suppose he doesn't hate Dumbledore and perhaps even likes him, and
wouldn't it be interesting how he behaves towards
people he likes or
admires?? Snape is so distant, always out of our reach, Harry NEVER asks
him what WE READERS want to know. People generally desire the thing
they can't have because the things we can have, are always there
waiting for us. We must fight for that what cannot be reached. In
Snape's case, desperate. Harry will not get us the answers or the
proximity we want, plus he's not real. AAARGH. Snape's the kind of
guy we secretly pray for attention. Please notice me! please see that I
am different than all the others! Please let there be a secret
between us.
- Also, I pity Snape. we know that Snape is one of
the good guys (imagine Dumdledore *accidently* hiring a bad guy).
Anyway, I would never fall for a bad guy. Lucius Malfoy is a bad guy
with long hair and dark elegance, he's equally cruel towards our main
characters, but he isn't attractive. Snape is aware of his faults
in the past, but he took the right path. He feels he is doing
penance, perhaps he feels he doesn't really deserve happy feelings and he
is determined to live on unhappy feelings until he has
made up with
the world. His irritation towards the good guys is caused by the fact
that he obviously cannot forgive himself yet. I
think he feels guilty
about being cruel towards Harry. He knows his cruelty is his own
weakness for being not objective and his failing
ability to
distinguish between Harry and James Potter. In this line - I feel myself
wishing for the moment Snape will show some emotion of affection
towards Harry. I can't imagine that he really hates Harry. It will be
good, healing even, for Snape to be responsible for Harry. Now that
Sirius is off-stage, it could very well be that Snape takes the
father-role on him. At least I hope so. It would be an ideal
situation for two lonely people (Harry and Snape, -or- reader (me) and Snape)
to find each other. True, Harry and Snape wouldn't make an ideal
father-son couple, but somehow I think that could get on very well..
- I also like his intelligence and his eloquence. His famous "..up to
something" quote is famous because it is so very subtle. His face is
so completely neutral when he says that.. I like people who don't
constantly state the obvious. His elegance continues in his speech.
Lockhart was a stupid git because he always talked and always about
himself. Snape never talks about himself. It's a social skill not
many people have. I don't say it's a good one, though. How does his
mind work?? He's good at his job, but I think he would be even better at
Defence Against The Dark Arts. I've been thinking for book 3 on, why
hasn't Dumbledore been looking for a new Potions teacher instead of a
DADA teacher? Anyway, I also like the aspect of people being good at
their job. Well, I guess that more or less sums it up.
Snape-like figures attract me and I can imagine he has the same
effect on other people. Style and mystery/distance does the trick if you ask
me.
I think the reason why Snape fascinates me is because we know so little about him- and what we do know hints towards a incredibly complex person. We know that Snape is mean, acts like a bastard, is ugly, shows favoritism, and was a Death Eater. He also, though, uses his position as a Death Eater to help Dumbledore, protected Harry when he was needed, and possesses a brilliant mind.
I think I'd like to compare Snape to a multi-layer Jawbreaker
(Is Dumbledore affecting me? ^ ^ )
Some times the candy tastes good, sometimes it doesn't. Each layer is an obstacle to the hidden core that holds a surprise at the end. But overall, the experience is a treat.
I mean come on who doesn't want a tall, dark, handsome stranger with a brain too?
He reminds me of my chemistry teacher (lol; what a trip! Potions/Chemistry- could fantasy and reality correlate more?). Just like the name "Snape," his name freaks me out (name kept anonymous). It has a very sharp sound to it and automatically gives you an eerie feeling. Not only is my chemistry teacher cold, callous, and has a voice that you can easily notice if your back was turned, they are both very intelligent and for that, I highly admire them. I hate and love the two at the same time simply for their intelligence; the fact that, even though they speak very condescendingly, I am still learning something in the process. In other words, I want a piece of their brains.
Who doesn't identify with Snape? Everyone's got a bad side, but if there's one in particular that you could choose, it would be something similar to Snape's. I feel I identify with him well because you're able to effectively hit people with words, and not fists (though you may have the capability). That is probably the biggest emotional stress of all, along with the idea that even if it seems that nothing can erratically change the character, there seems to be internal conflicts which create an eternal wound of some sort. I happen to have such ability to manipulate words, phrases, and sounds such as he. And for some reason, I always feel at war with myself, and everyone and thing around me. If there were a male version of me, it would be him.
Lastly, I share his mannerisms. I always seem to unconsciously have this pondering or calculating look on my face when not speaking. And many others more to mention. Everyone shares something in common with him, that's why he has so many fans. He's also got what everyone wants, but not everyone has: intimidation. Women find him attracting for the reason that, if they were to be overpowered by anyone, let it be him. (In my case, it would be more the spirit to compete against him and beat him at his own game- call it platonic love for someone.)
Oddly enough, I also seem to share the same hairstyle as him; my best friend's getting into the habit of calling me Snape ever since the realization of the likeness.
Much credit is due to Alan Rickman- without him, I'm not sure how the character would have come to life. He embodies him so well.
June 12th, 2003
Also, if you feel like writing an essay (longer than these posts), go ahead to Analysis & Theories and I'll post any well argumented essay there!
Also, the way Rickman portrays him....well...what a character! And he's so not stereotypical, such as others like Dumbledore, Filch, and Fred and George. It miffed me that there was so little of him in the Chamber of Secrets movie! I hope we see more of Rickman's great portrayal in the third movie!
Why you love, like, fancy, have a crush on, drool over, want, enjoy, prefer, affectionate, cherish, hold dear, are fond of, devote, desire, thrive in or are passionate when it comes to Snape?
I see myself in him. I want to understand him and feel close to him. Maybe it's because I feel like if I can find the words to speak about him. I'll understand myself a little bit more. I often find people misjudging or taking into account only what they see or what is said by other people, and they never bother to look, or think about, or understand what is inside the person and think that, maybe, there is a lot more to them.
When I try to draw Snape, I find it looks nothing like him physically but I've been told by others that it feels like Snape.
I had to smile at seeing the list of characters that where listed as being Snape like, because they are all characters that I have very strong feeling for and have felt connected with for years. I was introduced to the Phantom of the Opera when I was five years old, Erik is someone I've held close to my heart all my life. I'll never forget when I was fully dressed in the costume( by the way I'm a girl) and my mother said "my God you're beautiful" This was with the make up and everything. It was like for a moment someone saw the real person behind the mask.
I think Snape "people" 'want' to see the real person, the real soul. But I think we already seethe real person. We don't have to lift up a mask to know that there is a lot more to him than people think.
In a way I think it's hard for us to realize that we truly do see him, and trying to get others to see him. For them to say "Wow that's who he is!", to get them to see him for a moment, what we see when met him.
What this report herself refers as schoolgirl
crush:
These were all received before May 13th. Thank you all for your answers! I'm sorry it took so long to post them. But it's a long process!
I've never dared utter the fact that I have this huge attraction to the character of Professor Snape!! I think he is the most fascinating character in the series. There is something very deep and mysterious about him that intrigues me so much. He is definitely not all he appears to be on the surface. I hope that as J.K. Rowling continues her saga that she does Professor Snape justice and reveals what a truly deep and multifaceted character he is. Perhaps I like him so much because I feel I can relate to him on some level.
Oftentimes, circumstances force us to keep hidden many aspects of our true character and through no fault of our own, the outside world will misinterpret or mislabel us. Perhaps that is what speaks to so many of us.
His wit and sarcasm indicate a brilliant, intelligent mind that is desperately trying to redirect people's attention away from himself....hmmm, but what is Severus Snape trying to hide?.....what is his secret agenda?
Lastly, I can think of no better actor to play Severus Snape than Alan Rickman. I had heard that originally they were going to cast Tim Roth....an interesting choice and certainly he would have made a respectable Snape....but Alan is, hands down, the perfect Snape. He possesses all the qualities...and let's face it ladies, THAT VOICE!! I LOVE IT!!
The reason I like Snape is because he stays so cool,even when he's ready to rip
someone's head off!
First of all - Alan Rickman is the most talented actor to ever cross stage or
screen. While I don't exactly love him (in a way that I would dream about
marriage or anything) I love to watch him act, and I have pictures of him in my
room (specifically George, Sheriff of Nottingham, and my personal favorite movie
character of all time, Hans Gruber).
As for Snape - who doesn't
love to see a devious, rotten person who can send chills down your spine with
their smooth, sinister voice alone?
I honestly started reading the Harry Potter books after watching Alan Rickman play the part. And it was his charisma and intelligent demeanor that really struck a chord in me. And it also kind of helps that Alan Rickman has such a powerful screen aura, able to capture the attention of the camera no matter what is happening during that scene. The character itself is beautifully written by JK Rowling but I wish she would expand more on Snape.
One of the other things that attracted me to the Snape character is that I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and Severus Snape is very much like Sherlock Holmes. (Lady Claudia: I agree! See my Myth or Reality section for more info) The moment I read all 4 books, I realized that a great deal of his characteristics would prove to be invaluable in the detective role. But, to be completely truthful, I believe Alan Rickman fleshed out Snape for us, to give him a 3-dimensional character we could relate to or at least map out in our minds. Most especially Rickman's enunciation and natural pauses in his lines that were delivered in such a way that helped me give the books a more realistic feel to the characters.
SNAPE HAS A STRANGE PERSONALITY , HE SEEMS TO BE A BAD GUY BUT, AT THE SAME TIME HE IS SEXY. I DO NOT KNOW WHY I LOVE HIM, HOWEVER, I THINK HE IS VERY SWEET. I LOVE HIS BEAUTIFUL EYES AND HIS VOICE IS WONDERFUL.
When he speaks, apart from moving his mouth, his face is entirely motionless and those eyes........that unblinking stare.........ohhhh be still my beating heart!
Hmmm. Interesting question I actually get asked a lot (my friends think I'm just
a bit odd).
Out of all the characters, I like both Lupin and Snape the
most for both the same reason. They strike me as the more realistically
flawed and human characters presented in the four books to this
point.
Lupin, an individual who is seen by those around him as having
a handicap, disability (his werewolfism), struggles the best he can with
his situation, never losing his pride, keeping his sense of humor and irony,
but still willing to help others out, regardless of his feelings on the
matter. He is shown to keenly feel betrayal and show forgiveness, but is
also the type of person willing to go beyond the pale to avenge a person or
idea (killing Pettigrew). He isn't afraid to take everything into his own
hands and get the job done if needs be. He plays within the rules for the
most part, but if and when necessary, is more than mentally capable to go
outside them and will not hesitate to do so. He has a hint of mischief
buried deep down and struggles with many issues and problems, both trivial
(like the Marauders map staying in his keep but he gives it back to Harry
later) and serious (revealing he's a werewolf and his suspicions of Sirius
Black's methods of entering the school). His loyalty is flawed as well
(again convincing himself that Black was using Dark Magic when it was
obvious Black was entering the castle through means Lupin no doubt knew of).
Lupin is good and evil, the perfect balance, much like most of
humanity.
Snape is the same way, but in the opposite fashion. He does not
hesitate to use something to his advantage and would no doubt be the first
to do so. He's vindictive, but grudgingly honest (otherwise, Harry and the
other Gryffindors would have never passed first year Potions), pays his
debts and holds his grudges. Snape more than any other character, Rowling
has spent times writing descriptions of how he looks when he walks down a
hall, how he spits when he's angry, how his eyes narrow when he thinks he's
caught a student up to something, etc. Snape is a rule-follower, to the
point of being unfair (or biased, depending on which word you want to use).
Catching students fighting in the hall (favored Slytherin on that one as
usual), playing Quidditch referee, or in the Potions classroom himself,
Snape is a grudging upholder of "the law". Emphasis on "grudging".
Everything Snape does is grudgingly, except when he leaves the infirmary on
Dumbledore's secret mission. He's determined, resolute and (laughs) martyred
there. Snape knows his strengths and weaknesses; he knows his
enemies/adversaries strengths and weaknesses. He's an innate teacher (again
VERY grudgingly) and for proof look no further than the dueling scene in CoS: he
could have easily done some very nasty hex or charm on Lockhart, but instead
he utilized a very practical spell. Disarming an opponent is a very
rudimentary and basic theory and Snape took the educational approach instead
of the more satisfying approach of making Lockhart's life a living hell for a
few moments. Snape is the only teacher thus far shown to have "favorites".
You see no other teacher giving bias for or against other students, even
Hagrid (who would no doubt love to). And it's glaringly obvious Snape favors
Slytherin in class or in the hall. We don't see how he treats Ravenclaws and
Hufflepuffs in class but we can assume a little better than he would treat
Gryffindors, since its obvious that Gryffindor = Bane of Snape's Existence.
Favoritism is a very human trait.
He's got that Slytherin cunning and power thing goin' on. And, just the whole black theme makes him so.... so..... yummy looking!
It's easy. He's just not a bad guy.
He's a very odd character, and while
not a true protagonist (though Potter and the gang may never realize that) he is
typically an obstacle for the main characters.
It boils down to being a
dark character. Everyone loves dark characters to a point. Snape a little more
special though because everything dark about him can be explained or at least
guessed upon with decent evidence.
1) While Dumbledore tends to stay out
of the text for long stretches in the stories, he's a respected character. He in
turn respects Snape. That means a lot to anyone who's a fan of either or
both.
2) He's been a Death Eater. That shows his personality isn't all a
charade put on to intimidate the students. It makes you wonder though, as he
spent most of his life friendless, as a D.E. was he treated as an equal to the
other followers of Voldemort? I have faith that Snape will stay true to fighting
against Voldemort, but about the other Death Eaters, were there any friendships
made there? Or did they talk at all when they congregated?
3) He's
BITTER. This is a big point. Since day one of Potter being at school, Gryffindor
has become the powerhouse. There's easily some resentment there. Also there's
plenty of times where he picks on Potter's vanity and desire to stay in the
headlines (I know that one's mentioned enough to be very obvious). Also there's
an opening for a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher every year. It looks like
we're in for a 5th year running of his rejection for the job (maybe Dumbledore
just thinks there's no better potions master to be found... small victory in
Snape's mind though even if that IS the case, I'm sure). Bitter also at the fact
that the very same students that tormented him in his time are coming back to
help play the role of heroes.
4) It pays to know you're intimidating and
use it to your advantage. He's a teacher. He's (probably just slightly more than
McGonagall) the most respected teacher, fear inspired or not. He's never
horrifically cruel to the students as far as I'm concerned, though admittedly, I
don't know if I could handle him as a teacher, heh. He's biased against the
Gryffindors, but that's not surprising. He messes with Potter because, like I
said, he thinks Potter's an attention glutton. He messes with Granger because,
like some teachers I know, he hates know-it-alls (and of course she's Potter's
friend). He messes with Weasley because, well he's always there with Potter and
Granger. And of course there's poor Neville, to whom Snape's wrath is little
more than another product of his own clumsiness. As to his harshness though...
using harsh words and being quick to give detentions only make him unlikable to
the victim(s), not so much the reader.
5) This is the one that draws me
in about Snape. He's got so many ties with all the different characters in the
stories (it's as if he knows more of the characters than Dumbledore sometimes)
that as they start to resurface I want to see how he acts with them. Assuming he
continues working with the Order of the Phoenix, he and Lucius Malfroy are going
to have to run into each other at some point soon I imagine, and I can't wait
for it. Will they butt heads? The Malfoy herd don't seem like ones to keep
their mouths shut about something like... say... turning your back on the Death
Eaters and Voldemort, or worse, fighting their cause. And what will Lucius have
to say to Draco over the summer about Snape? Will Draco keep getting that fuzzy
feeling in his heart whenever Snape's around? (Spoiler
of book5: Yes, he seems to because their relationship
has not changed at all)
And vice versa I suppose. Same goes
for Crabbe and Goyle I guess, but as their Draco's underlings is a lot less
dramatic and would most likely only be brought up if it's just them agreeing with
Draco.
The last few chapters of GoF showed Snape (along with Sirius,
McGonagall, etc.) right on the ball, quick to the task, when Dumbledore had to act quickly they were all on it. I'm not sure
what it was about that, seeing Snape as a team player, or just seeing him
getting down to business like a bad ass, but that stuck a chord with me too. Very
cool.
6) Last but not least, casting in the movie. I know it's a big point
in this discussion, but it's absolutely true. Alan Rickman is awesome and always
has been. And for those of you looking forward to this continuing awesome
casting... I have a feeling we'll soon see many Sirius websites with pictures
from the movie pasted all over, as depicted by, that's right... GARY OLDMAN. Cast
for Sirius in PoA. If they can keep the casting on as high a level as they have
with Rickman and Oldman there will be no need to worry about the quality of the
movies ever falling off.
I will simply speak from the heart as opposed to the mind .
I'm writing in response to question "Why do we like Snape". It's a great idea to
let people express their opinions. And here's my small analysis:
If we
ignore the facts that people like him either because of his appearance
(connected with Alan Rickman mostly), or because he's "evil", (when you look at
his personality more properly, you can't say he's evil. In fact, he's not. He's
just unhappy and hurt, but he transforms these feelings into anger.) there are
some facts that we have remaining.
*First, most of Snape fans can see
themselves in him (that goes for me as well ;-)), if not entirely, there's
always a part they can find. They have the same experiences as he does, and
sometimes feel sorry for him.
Therefore they can relate to him, can
understand what he's going through and why he's the way he is.
*He's
mysterious and unpredictable, full of questions... Now that's something for me,
analysing his character. You can ask why he does things he does, what are his
reasons and what is behind them. What makes him act "evil" if we believe he
isn't in his deep inside?
*We don't know much about him (thanks JK) and that
leaves a big space for our own fantasy. I think I won't be wrong if I say that
most of us like solving riddles like this. And Snape's a big riddle for
everyone, that is...
*He isn't evil nor positive character. He seems to
be complicated. Again, one new question. Why's that?
*He's a strong character
and individualist, he always believes his principles are right and will fight
for what he believes is the right thing.
*He's quick in thinking and very smart.
He has a powerful intellect. And knowledge means power. People are attracted to
power,aren't they?
*He knows evil, yet he doesn't slide in it. He can detect
evil even where the others don't see it.
*He has strong confidence in
his own capabilities. That's what we all want to have.
*He doesn't have
patience with idiots...(maybe that's not good, but this is the point where I and
Snape are completely similar. ;-))
*Part of him is still a child. This child
that never got enough love, it's hurt and feels not loved, and what it does is
that it transforms this sorrow into anger. We want to make this part of him
better, to take care of it, to show that someone loves him.
End of commented parts - I'll comment the posts above later!!
Intelligence & sarcasm
Coldness: I agree this is quite interesting
in Snape! Why, why, why!
Very
true! Snape has so much mystery surrounding
him that it captivates us!
This
fact is interesting: Snape-fans feel the school
acts worst towards Snape than he does... while
non-Snape-fans say the contrary!
I think he feels pain from doing it in the sense
that he doesn't know how to do differently!
Snape's distinguished.
Alan Rickman's performance
Albus
really trusts him
Why do I like Snape?
I like him because he is a very intelligent, but also
sarcastic ( I love sarcasm...) He is a person, that has a mysterious past, there
are some riddles in his life, he is very intelligent, but always cold. We love
cold people because we are not very sure what's the matter with them, and therefore
we want to get
to know them better...
In Polish net (the author is Polish of course!)
there are some fan sites about him, and fan-fictions with
him as the main character.
In some he's a vampire. In others he was in
love with Lilly Potter. I saw one where he's Harry's "dad" but hates
him because his beloved Lilly died saving Harry. In others he is Harry's remote
uncle... Well, his life leaves
a lot of place for imagination!
Why is he so unhappy? Who has broken his life (heart)?
Why is he so full of
bad feelings?
I like him because I believe he is the good one
while all the school
is so cruel to him. He is not nice, but the others are even worse to
him.... For example, when Ron/Harry discussing why Snape was not at the
Head table for the Grand Feast at the beginning
of year 2 they said: "Or maybe he's been sacked. You know, nobody likes him"
How would
you feel?
(Lady Claudia: "How would you feel?" I think that's exactly the point! Personally, I know exactly how it feels because I've endured such kind of remarks! Not as explicit, but still! It's enough to make you loose it and get the worst out of you! Fortunately, my family didn't encourage me to retaliate in a bad way, but just imagine what other parents might have said! No matter how hardened Sanpe may have become over the years, he cannot not hear those remarks because he's been back to the right side. Any conscious being will feel it. Of course Snape could be nicer, but if he's not be raised to act like that, well... )
Maybe inside he is a sensitive one , hiding it because of his
mission, and feeling pain every moment he has to be cruel...
Or maybe
not?
And of course he is so distinguished, he has great quotes, better than
anyone.
Have you ever read "The Three Musketeers" by Alexander Dumas?
He's like
Richelieu, of course not the real one, the authors vision.
I loved Richelieu
in this book.
(Lady Claudia: I must say I did read it (I'm a French
speaker so of course I enjoyed the original
version of Dumas), but it's strange Richelieu
didn't strike me as a Snape at all. Richelieu
was more
like Lucius to me: they both want power, they
manipulate the king/Ministry like puppets,
they try everything to appear nice and noble
while in truth they are not. Actually,
in "The Three Musketeers", Athos (one
of the three) was a lot more like Snape I believe.
Brooding, keeping silent, hating company (Athos
even had a mute servant), but always defending
a just cause! Richelieu only worked for
himself, his pride and prestige... and of course
sexual deviations for he was supposed never
to have touched a woman in his life!)
And I love Snape, and Alan Rickman is one of my favourite
actors, he played Colonel Brandon, that I also loved in Jane Austen's
book.
Sometimes I think he is going to die saving Harry in 7th part.
I
hope it's not going to happen...
Severus
and his sarcasm and his great heart, not shown yet (except the part, when he is
saving Harry on the broomstick and the end of the fourth part. Isn't it
interesting, that he is one of the teachers Albus trusts mostly? And he
was so
courageous when he showed his sign to the Minister of Magic!!!)
Bad ass type and not entirely evil character
Feels a kinship to Snape
Loving
a character is often easier than loving a real
person
It wasn't till a few weeks ago that I saw it (the 1st movie that is) with my dad on TV. I haven't seen the 2nd, I'm very new to it yet. When I saw it I actually started to like it ( I am 21 years old I normally don't go for this kinda thing). The character I really hooked onto was our gorgeous Prof. Snape. I've always have been attracted to the "bad ass" but not entirely evil character so to speak. For the past few years I have felt isolated and misunderstood. Snape comes across as being so lonely and yearning to have a friend but secretly afraid of being hurt or abandoned so he puts up all these walls to protect himself much the way I do.
I feel a longing, a need, a desire and wish to hold him. It is beyond physical,
the need is consuming and enters my thoughts and dreams. I have an obsession. I
want to hear him, smell him, feel his presence, look into his eyes, become
lost. I am lost.
Gothic
style
Alan
Rickman
Self-dependent
Mysterious
A good exploration of one's darker side
Attention
seeking of a powerful, dark men
Dramatic torture of loving a difficult man
Firstly, I am totally sold on this
Gothic look for Alan Rickman. I love swishy capes and long black
hair (this has more than a little to do with my lifelong love of vampires,
but it's a good look for mortals as well). Rickman knows how to put a certain
charisma and flair into villainous (or supposedly villainous) characters.
And his voice... yow. But if it were just about Alan Rickman in a cape there
wouldn't be much else to say. There is something about Snape's character
that captures the imagination.
Snape plays by his own rules, and keeps
counsel only with himself. He doesn't actively seek validation
from others. And yet, as human beings we know that no one can never be
completely self-reliant... surely there must be some part of him that craves
acceptance and emotional intimacy.
There are so many unanswered
questions
about him, and that air of mystery is a big part of the attraction. I want to
pick his brain, provoke him, flirt with him, mess with his mind, seduce
him, and push his hot buttons. I want to rip the veil off his secrets and
poke the squishy black stuff in the most vulnerable part of his soul. I
like to do this to loner types, because I'm a bit warped in the head. I
think it's really an exploration of the darker side of myself, because I too
am a sarcastic, insecure, and often bitter person. And yes, I'm sure my
parents have something or other to do with all this because they were
inconstant and emotionally inaccessible and I still haven't figured them
out.
Psychobabble BSing aside: happiness is daydreaming about Severus
taking a long, lascivious whiff of my hair before silently retiring to his
quarters for the evening. Mmm... I mean, I'm obviously not the only
girl
who gets a naughty thrill out of the idea of having a powerful, enigmatic,
tall dark handsome stranger showing her some attention. The element
of danger is all part of the fun... [Lady
Claudia: I believe this applies to most Snape
fans indeed. I've known enough fans to
tell you that it's surely the main reason why
most people like him. The content of most Snape
sites is proof enough. However, there
are all kinds of Snape fans, as shown in this
very page. So even if most people like him for
that dominating character, he still has a lot
of attractive traits for most. The content
of most fanfictions featuring Snape proves this
as well.]
If I were a student at Hogwarts,
there is no doubt in my mind that I would have a mighty crush on Snape.
He would have been irresistable to me in my teenage years, physically and
in terms of personality, more so because as a teacher, he would be completely
out of my reach, something which tends to highten attraction. In high
school, I liked the "mean" teachers who taught the subjects I was dedicated
to. The other kids got their just desserts for not trying hard enough-- or
so went my reasoning back then. I would have been his favorite student,
the neurotic perfectionist-loner. I'd probably enjoy torturing myself to the
fullest with that little drama of unrequited love, too.
[Lady
Claudia: This is very true for most fans as
well I reckon: for a lot of fans, loving Snape
who surely doesn't give a lot of importance
to romance is a kind of slow torture, a challenge.
What if you were chosen by him? Wow! That
would be great because he seems so reluctant
to being loved, doesn't he? That would
mean he would be ready to give up on his grudging
personality just for your sake. That's
a very exciting prospect for a woman. There's
a lot of drama involved in loving Snape and
a masochist side to keeping that love for oneself.
If you read most romantic Snape fanfictions,
you'll notice just that: torture of the woman
in getting her man. That's a bit cliché but
women tend to be like that.]
Looks
Snape's
sterness and rigidity.
No
one walks over him
I feel that if you are not stern people will walk all over you .That why I like being alone for. I tend to push people who love me away
Snape's a jerk, but on the good side!
He
makes you wonder what made him like that
He is so interesting to read about, because you wonder what made him so weird and creepy.
Snape makes potions because it's an essential
part of magic. Nice theory! I never
thought of that before!
His snake-like personality (I've put this
here instead of the Analysis/Theory page because
it's true people are often attracted to Snape
because of his snake-like personality!
Snape
is like a leader to Harry.
Snape's
a good teacher
As the Master of Potions he is a archetype of
a medicine-man! He uses to murmur his charms or makes entreaties. In your
very good analysis you wrote he loves to be the Master of Potions and this is
my own very impression, too. To be a type of shaman (a healer)
gives him
more power than any other work he could do. He makes potions, that means
medicines, and everyone, the GOOD or the EVIL ones need HIM
sometimes. There is no difference between them in that very case.
Now, I
want to pointed out that my ideas about Severus Snape weren't inspired
by fanfics. I don´t use to read them.
But I studied a large number of
Snape / Potter theories and there are many I would say which are
very good.
Very often it is written that Snape's behaviour recalls that
of
a vampire, but I didn´t get this impression. He seems to be completely
human from my point of view. But I would say he reminds me of a
SNAKE. I want to explain why I think so:
- We all know he is the Master of Slytherin, the house with a snake as symbol.
- His symbol as medicine-man is probably the Aesculap, the snake besides the Greek god of healing. Joanne Rowling uses well known symbols from different mythologies, and the Aesculap is one of them. If you take a look at pharmacies around the world you will find out that the international symbol for pharmacists and medicals is the Aesculap (it is a little adder). And while the Aesculp is the sign for healing, the Basilisk (used by Voldemort) is the deadly watching snake in the Greek mythology, and this is a very important point to me. So I am convinced Severus and Voldemort are enemies. They are rivals.
- Something happened in the Duelling club (book 2) which made me thinking again and again. The second book tells us: "Snape was looking at Harry in a an unexpected way: it was a shrewd and calculating look...." Why he looked calculating at him if he had no idea of Harry´s magical resources? I think he understood Harry very well, he heard him talking to the snake, to leave the other boy alone. My conclusion is: Severus Snape is a parslemouth too. (Maybe he also heard the Basilisk calling Harry Potter, who knows?) He is a man of logic! [Lady Claudia: The problem with this theory is that Snape, had he heard the Basilisk, would have done much more than he did in the second book! He would have told Dumbledore for a start. Knowing that, Dumbledore would have closed the school if Snape had told him he heard a snake in the walls. And the author tells it herself: Snape is a logic man, he would have known a snake was roaming around in the school. I think the shrewd and calculating look had to do with Snape discovering Harry was a parseltongue and/or discovering he shared the same talent as Voldemort himself. It's true, surely Snape heard of Voldemort's ability somehow.]
- Usually he is a very calm man, he normally whispers, he uses to stay in shadowed corners, where he can observes persons undiscovered by them. He moves in a very light-footed way. Surely it seems that he sweeps, but it could be a form of sliding!! I read something about the Aesculap too. This animal lives in dark, cold and damp places. Snape seems to enjoy his very place, the cold and dark dungeon.
- He has a lot of intuition, as snakes do.
- He doesn´t share what he owns with other, or does he? Snakes are very similar in that case. Even a snake would never share its meal for example.
- Snake snap
their head in defence. A
snake is a dangerous animal, but I am convinced he
is NOT evil. He is unpleasant, sarcastic, maybe very cold and unfriendly, but
NOT evil. An evil person can play a very friendly roll too. Just think
about the"shy and kind" Prof. Quirell.
At last: Snape saved Harry's life in different
situations (I am convinced in the PoA, too), so the
magical connection between the boy and him becomes deeper and
deeper, more intensive. And that is what Snape wants to reach. In a very
special way he is a
type of spiritual leader for Harry. Because he
knows, if Voldemort shall fall forever, they will have to work together.
I
have many other ideas about him, but this is themost important thing to
me.
This is the reason why I love him, he is a very good teacher for
life!!!!
A knight in shining armorNot
materialistic
Rickman's performance brings out a part of Snape
that was harder to see in the books only.
(By the way, I heard that Rowling decided on
Rickman for Snape herself and that she told
him precious information about his future role
so that he could act accordingly: See
part 3 of book 4 analysis for more details)
Unselfish
Interesting
theory! I believe it's part of the fact that
Snape is alone too: he doesn't want to engage
himself in a relation if it's not for the woman
he really wishes for!
Before I saw the movie I didn't really like Snape; but then I look at the
screen and Alan Rickman brings out a man behind the beast, a hidden past
filled with sadness and rejection, (I'm a sucker for drama unless it's a
soap). Alan Rickman brings out what you read in the fanfics. He's a guy who
has had a hard past and still has to spy for Dumbledore so he has to act all
mean and he prefers to be alone like me. I hate crowds and everywhere I go I
feel like I'm surrounded by idiots and imbeciles.(sry) I may only be in
high school but I agree with a previous addition to this forum; I need some
gray complexity in my books unlike my boy-crazy, materialistic peers.(again
sry if I've insulted you.)
He's completely unselfish; everything he does is for someone else. He feels that he is forever paying back a debt for being a death eater and all of the horrible things he did as one.
And I think he is lonely for that special someone.
Snape's somehow right in his teaching methods
even though he seems quite harsh
Snape
is right to try to humble Harry
Very
good point! Please read my further comment on
it:
Snape's looks
People
love what Snape is and they are not or identify
to him
That's
so true!
I have actually a teacher who is EXACTLY like Snape (no joke!!!). So, I can tell you what it feels like having someone like him to teach you : First, I hated him. Really. He was all the time bullying students, especially the less gifted ones. (I remember, once he had been horrible to a boy that copied on his neighbour's sheet, the poor boy didn't dare going to school the next day!!!) But everybody gets his part with him. When your work is half-done, don't hope good marks! He told us we were a mummy-class, we didn't belong where we were, etc. But I must admit that HE IS RIGHT (we never respond to any question, and half the class didn't succeed at all the Christmas exams). The same goes for Snape, he's bullying Longbottom and putting quite a pressure, but do you think Neville would do any effort if he didn't put him under pressure like that? I know that kind of guys, most of the time it's " I can't do it so why should I do any effort?" And for Harry, well, SOMEONE has to remind him of being humble. I think I would get a big head if I was so well-known and good at all I did.
Now, at least, the Harry Potter books have helped me to understand a little more that horrible teacher of me. I still don't like him, but I don't plan throwing him with a millstone in the river anymore. People like Snape because they don't know what it is having him stand in front of the classroom. I'm sure most would don't like him if he was their teacher. (Lady Claudia: I think so too! If you'd have to grow up with a teacher like that, chances are you would not like him at all! For most people anyway. However, if you are older and understand just why the teacher you had was so mean, that is, when you understand his motives, I think that's why some people like me love him. That reminds me of something I didn't talk about before: I have had a female teacher that was a real bitch with normal students. At the time, I didn't like her at all even though she was not as rough on me as she was with the others because I've always given all I could in my classes. However, I did get some cutting remarks from her. I even sent her a false valentine just to mock her (anonymous of course). That's the only prank I ever did to a teacher, I swear! But you know what? I'm glad I did today because she really deserved that valentine! She was my best French teacher ever! She pushed me to my limits, not just liking what the good student I was and always giving me good grades for it! She was the only one to really appreciate my kind of intellectual side because I thought differently from other good students who were just gifted but didn't work so hard. She's the only one who published one of my essays in the school's annual journal for the best essays even though the other years, I had written very good essays compared to the published ones! I knew I had deserved it fully this time and that she recognised my talent, my real talent. I got a 94% on my end-of-year oral presentation, the highest mark she ever gave any student. That's why I love her today: she pushed me to the limits, like Snape with Potions. She knew students were not giving enough of their capabilities and tried through hard ways to bring it to the surface. I don't know enough about her to tell you she was a Snape, but in class, she was.
Second, don't deny it, Snape is really physically attracting (but a little shampoo wouldn't hurt).
Third, most people admire him because he is what they aren't, or they identify with him. C'mon, all the others are so perfect and stereotyped! And for Harry, I've been bullied too at school and at home by my brother, you cannot have still such noble feelings and such a pure mind. He would be like me: antisocial, selfish (why helping people, they always hurt you), vengeful and certainly not as good as he is. Looks like Snape? I'm sure he has been bullied a lot when he was at Hogwarts.
And at last, I admire Snape because he's able to do what I can't. I still have some friends, which I don't really like, but I keep being friends with them because I need some. I'm not able to take complete care of myself, Snape is. I'm not able to ignore others taunting, I've not an armor against it like Snape. He doesn't care what people think about him, and respond to no-one but himself. He's self-sufficient, and I think all of us wish we could. It's always a greet shame to recognise you're not able to do something alone.(in any case, I feel like that) Lady Claudia: I'm like Snape for that: I don't keep friends who are not to be trusted. I'm very exigent! But a big majority of people prefer to stay friends rather than be alone. For me, being with people who hurt me or betray my confidence is worst than being alone. But I know most people find the contrary worst! It's a shame really! That's paradoxal because I believe that if the majority keeps such "friends", it encourages nobody to change! So people like me are left with little choice believe me! Very unfortunate! I dream of the day when people will stop being abused by others they call "friends". Then, we might finally get somewhere!