The wicked deception of Snape (Harry Potter character)
It has been something of a debate in the "Harry Potter community," which I am not a part of; but have recently come across it on you-tube, and that is whether this character Snape is good or bad. I happen to take the latter position. But I want to take the arguments which suggest that he is and consider them.
Let us consider each of these points.
He was in love with Lily Evans
This may be the most easily proven falsehood, because when you think about what is the difference between love and limerence (deep-seated obsession)? It is simply this: if someone love another person and expresses it but is turn down. They will never show any negative feelings towards that person; but only want the best for that person-- even if it is not with them. Let us note how scriptures speak of love:
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 cor. 13:4-8)
Take note of how love is described in these verses: "patient and kind" does not envy or boast" "not arrogant or rude" "does not insist on its own way" "irritable or resentful" "does not rejoice in wrong doing; but truth" Now each of these thing can be seen in abundance in this character: If he loved lily then he wouldn't have been all of these things towards her son and god-son. But he never was. For seven years he out rightly bullied Harry and others; but more Harry. And it was possibly longer than that. And there is simply no justification for such behaviour especially from an Adult towards a child; and Adult who is a teacher.
But what is more intriguing in His hatred for every Potter he told the prophecy to Voldemort in which it sent him on a killing spree. Here is the issue. in this action we see him trying to get his own way through bargaining for the life of lily. If she had known it was him who send this killer after them; and that her Husband and Son were killed. I ask: do you really think she would want anything to do with this vile man Severus. No, more than likely not. All of this is the great sign that it is not love but limerence.
He goes and checks on Sirius
To some that may seem like a cut and dry point that he done that and it prove that he is good. But that is not a reasonable argument. Now before some one argues here me out. Think for a moment: even the most narcissistic person can do thing which seem to contradict that reality when other view it. But the reason for them doing it may be wide: (1) he just want to do something to bring himself credit. (2) He does not want other to think less of him or see him in a bad light if that is the image he is trying deceive people into accepting. And so so which ever it is: he goes and checks on Sirius.
The proverbs is rather instructive on this point:
but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin... ..but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, (Ch. 10:9b-10, 11b12a)
That is rather straight to the point: the mouth is the means to know a persons true intent. But we continues on with these words:
but he who pursues evil will die. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord... Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, (Ch. 11: 19b-20a)
Only a man who even more depraved (I.E Dumbledore) will spare another frame his own doom. And we continue with these words:
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, (Ch. 12: 5b, 10-13)
Does this all seem familiar? If a man is truly repentant of his actions and not simply trying to escape the fate that is his crimes. then we know for certain that he will change his whole direction in life: he will be a kind and care person. He won't try to kill children or allow other do harm; he won't act on impulse and try to have a man kissed by a dementor and out another who is ware-wolf. (check book 3). In other words, for a man who spent years under a killer doing his work to change sides; he should show sign of a repentant heart and never show evidence of someone who is evil regardless of his side.
His seeming to help with capturing Sirius Black can be explained as a means to evade the obvious truth of His own death-eater past; and the fact that He was the one who lead Voldemort to James and Lily. that is to say: it was a cover up and shift the blame scenario.
He tries to save Harry multiple times
This may be the hardest point to contend with because it apparently shows that Snape did care for Harry; yet, the problem should be evident as the daylight in the sky. This man was a double agent; and had decades to perfect his persona of being on the "good side; " when in reality he was never on that side to begin with. In fact, there could be an irrefutable argument that he was never on any side bit his own. Think about it for a moment: He had two sides to work from passing information between from book 4-7. How does this make sense in light of the fact that clearly hated both sides? He was driven to the dark side because of his deep hate of members of the good-side; and the out right rejection from the girl he claimed to love. And then he set the event in motion that would lead to him defecting from the dark-side (but completely). It seems that he simply was double cross them both.
And what is more important is the fact that he tried to bargain with His first Master for the life of a woman who was married to His supposed enemy; and had a child with him. But wanted the woman to be kept alive for what is clearly a sick and twisted motivation. But had no problem with her husband and son being eliminated. But what could a deathblow in the coffin of this whole "Snape is a good person" theory is this: there was another family with a child born at the end of July: the Longbottoms. clearly he would have no problem with all of these dying. So it comes down to his sick obsession with Lily.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil. 2:3-4)
he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, (1 Timothy 6:4-5)
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Gal. 5:19-21; 26)
Let be sure bare in mind this man's constant refrain regarding Harry: "you arrogant just like..." Is not strange that his own words perfectly fitting of Himself? It like he is looking into a mirror and sees himself and refuses to deal with own issues; and instead casts them on to other in an assassination attempt. And clearly his prime target is Harry. Now this kind of behaviour should never be exhibited by a professor in any way shape of form. And yet it is allowed by Albus time and time again. But here is the issue: there is group of people who do exhibit it as part of their M.O: the death-eaters and their spawn.
So why does he save Harry a number of times? We can rule out the nice-guy" theory. He never was one. Well, there are two main reasons: first, he had to be seen doing something in order not to blow his cover as double agent. That is always a key motive. Second, and more striking is this: He could never allow the saviour to die before his time and by the wrong person; that means that he could not die at the hands of the D.A.D.A instructor by a curse as it would never fulfil the prophecy accurately if it were ever true. And then he could not die at the hands of Lupin in his transformed state as ware-wolf because it would not be the manner in which Albus Dumbledore had planned it.
He died to help the good side.
Is this claim true? On the face of it there could reason to see as such; but unfortunately it is not conclusive. Let me show what I mean; there is one case in the whole series that show that this is not the case. Anybody heard of a man called RAB you should these initials are found on a door in no. 12 Grimould place. That is right: I am speaking of Regulus Black the younger brother of Sirius Black. He was a death eater who had second thoughts about his path in life (who knows why!); And as result he died at the hands of Voldemort. Sound familiar! It should with one difference Severus apparently came to the light. But even that should be question: he freely became a death-eater; but was forced by Albus to become a member of the light. He did not want too.
But what does this show us? well, simply this he later action which are exactly the same as Lucius Malfoy (a death-eater) reveals that he was not truly repentant of what he did in the case that he led Voldemort to kill the Potter Parents. How many other teachers (professors) do we know who openly bullies and mocks students? how many do we know who punishes student for nothing more than sticking up for themselves and others? And tell me, how many do we know who openly allow his own house to get away with murder (Malfoy Junior) or something very close to it? None. I thought that was the case. So why is this one given such privileges that he will not act fairly and honestly with students? Bias. Indeed it is.
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. (Prov. 17:15)
Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good. (Prov. 20: 23)
Do you see the problem? I hope you do. Even if Albus had a purpose in saving him from being in prison; his crimes were never brought to pubic and he was never brought to justice. And his future actions only compounded the issue. It only made it 10 times worse. No. His death was the result of him defying his first master.
He was bullied in school and over came his hatred
This is the most dangerous and yet bizarre justification for doing what he was doing; it is simply a foolish statement because it is doing nothing to correct farther wrong action and blatant abuse of authority. The problem is clear abundantly so. Let us put it in this form:
- person a was bullied as a child.
- Person a overcome the bullying and then became a better person.
- conclusion: how should he act as grown man? (a) act like a man and treats people kindly and with understanding. (b) Acts like a child who takes his anger out on innocent children.
So in the case of Snape which of these two outcomes is the evident position that we are continuously shown regarding this man. Let us take one of the first examples from the series of books. Let us just say that we are told by other students unfair and bias treatment of non-Slytherins (this is mere hearsay at this point; and could be a lie). But here is what we see in the pages of the first novel.
(1) He picked deliberately on one student asking questions no first year should even know (Harry).
(2) He belittles 3 students in one house which is not Slytherin (Harry; Hermione and Neville).
(3) He also constantly bad-mouths Dead people from the start (Harry's Father)
No teacher should ever do this kind of thing; but let us note this in the words of the novel: Snape forces the class to watch as he pours a potion down Neville's toads throat (chapter 7; pg. 679-80); later Snape is covering for lupin and asks the class a question and Hermione answers to which he throws an insult at her and reprimands her for doing exactly what asked of the class (chapter 9; pg.716) But if there is one example that stands out for us to take note of it is one that takes place in book 4 in front of many witness' including Albus who practically brushes it aside. let us take note of it:
“It’s no one’s fault but Potter’s, Karkaroff,” said Snape softly. His black eyes were alight with malice. “Don’t go blaming Dumbledore for Potter’s determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here —” (Goblet of fire: pg. 222)
For any teacher to act in this kind of manner should be a clear be reprimandable act. And this goes for a character in a story. but for it to go uncheck for 17 years is inexcusable. All professors and teacher must leave their child-hood grudges back in the past and never let them surface again. This all shows us that he never "over came" his bullies but let them "dictate" his future action.
