Severus Snape Friend or Foe
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
There are two big questions in the Harry Potter series.
First, will Harry Potter die in the last book?
And, second, is Severus Snape a friend or a foe?
Both questions have been answered by now. But the topic of Severus Snape’s loyalties were probably of greater concern to a wider audience. Snape is such a deliciously unlikeable character that you can’t help but like him. And Alan Rickman’s portrayal of the grease-headed Hogwarts teacher only deepened his fanbase.
But it’s a good question, and was for a very long time. Is Snape a good guy? Or do his loyalties ultimately lie with Lord Voldemort? There’s a lot of evidence leaning both ways. He helps Potter and his friends quite a few times in the books and does a lot of good.
But he’s also a fairly repulsive person personality-wise, and he has an obvious detestation for all things Potter. Plus he also does something in the sixth book that casts a lot of doubt on his motives.
So which is he?
You’ll have to read to find out.