Voldemort killed James Potter because of Snape gave crucial information to Voldemort. [76], The character of Severus Snape has appeared in various animated parodies of Harry Potter. The fact that Lily chose James Potter, Harry's father, only fuels Snape's hostility towards Harry. Elizabeth Hand of The Washington Post explained that Snape's life "is the most heartbreaking, surprising and satisfying of all of Rowling's achievements". Towards the end of the school year, Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout force Snape to flee the school. Snape, however, believes James' actions were self-serving, to avoid being expelled. But did he ever do it? AND: Snape claims that his supplies of the serum have been exhausted after Umbridge tries to use the drug previously on Harry. Snape is described as a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose, and yellow, uneven teeth. "Is Snape Good or Evil?" [9][10][11] Rowling based Snape's given name on "Severus Road" in Clapham,[12] and his surname is borrowed from the name of a village in England. In the second chapter, Snape claims to have been working for Voldemort ever since the latter's return, and only pretending to help Dumbledore. Later on, Harry and Ron are led to find the real sword by a Patronus taking the form of a doe. [78], In a 2004 sketch on Saturday Night Live in which Lindsay Lohan appears as Hermione Granger, Snape is portrayed by Will Forte. off his feet: He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, [32], Like some other prominent members of Slytherin house, Snape is shown to be a clever and cunning wizard. This was the proper way to pay him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when a dying Snape gives his memories to Harry, why does he trust Snape, of all people, and go to the Pensieve to see them? Later in the book, Dumbledore has Snape teach Harry Occlumency, the protection of the mind from outside intrusion or influence. Fight back! Harry screamed at him. Rowling was less forthcoming about Snape than she was for other characters, because his true loyalties and motivations were not revealed until the final book. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. second time, aiming for the figure ahead illuminated in the dancing Snape's memories then reveal that Dumbledore had impetuously tried to use the Gaunt ring, which had been cursed by Voldemort, and had been suffering from a powerful curse. From the first movie (where he tries to neutralise Quirrell's spell during the Quidditch game) to the agonised conversation he has with Dumbledore about Potter's fate confirm this. Dumbledore, aware that Voldemort had ordered Draco to kill him, had asked Snape to kill him instead as a way of sparing the boy's soul and of preventing his own otherwise slow, painful death. Was Snape romantically attracted to Mulciber? The first movie came out in 2001, while the last book, where the true nature of Snape's character is revealed, didn't end up on store shelves until 2007. Snape sat nearby as she pleaded with him. "[51] He also said Snape is a fascinating character, and that he takes immense pleasure in playing such an ambiguous person. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Votes: 559,688 | Gross: $295.98M. was one of the questions in Scholastic Inc.'s seven-question series, part of its marketing campaign for the book. One of them [Snape] was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew. Harry could see him This mission, as had been implied in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and revealed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was to rejoin the Death Eaters and spy on Voldemort as a re-doubled agent, while pretending to spy on Dumbledore on behalf of Voldemort. And my soul, Dumbledore? Gravely weakened by the horcrux's protective potion, Dumbledore tells Harry he must fetch Snape, but before Harry can leave, Draco suddenly arrives, intending to carry out Voldemort's order to assassinate Dumbledore, closely followed by other Death Eaters (followers of Voldemort), and Snape. Professor Snape Character Analysis. Thanks for contributing an answer to Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange! The way one must imbibe it was very unique among potions, in that a goblet full of wolfsbane potion must have been taken each day for a week preceding the full moon; missing one dose . After being. He is apoplectic when Harry is unexpectedly entered into the Triwizard Tournament. They can die, as long as you have what you want? I am not saying this is from canon or is canon. "[39], In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Voldemort and his Death Eaters have tightened their grip on the wizarding world. Snape was willing to give Harry information via the Pensieve that should have directly led to Harry's death. [25] Throughout the third book, Snape suspects that Lupin may be helping Harry's godfather Sirius Black enter Hogwarts castle; Sirius had been convicted (wrongly, as it is later revealed) of murdering Peter Pettigrew and innocent bystanders, and betraying the Potter family's hiding place to Voldemort. [18], After the completion of the series, Rowling began to speak openly about Snape, discussing the contrast between his character arc and that of Albus Dumbledore. James, Black, and Lily were all members of Gryffindor, Severus was Slytherin. Snape has a hooked nose, greasy black hair, and sallow skin. He has shoulder-length, greasy black hair which frames his face, and cold, black eyes. running as fast as he could in the opposite direction. [32] The sessions are made difficult by their mutual hostility and end prematurely when Harry uses Dumbledore's Pensieve to view one of Snape's worst childhood memories without the latter's permission. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Compare the following two passages for what I mean. [52], Rickman's performance as Snape was widely acclaimed by critics, fans and Rowling herself. Even with his efforts to protect her, Snape felt responsible for Lily's death at Voldemort's hands. He was a double agent, so many character details were kept a secret. [38] The full relationship between Dumbledore and Snape and the reason for Snape's actions remain unknown until the final book. [80][81] Snape appeared in a Harry Potter parody named "Louis Potter and the Philosopher's Scone" in Alistair McGowan's Big Impression show, played by Alistair McGowan himself. [36], Before leaving Hogwarts to accompany Dumbledore in locating another horcrux part of Voldemort's soul Harry discovers from Professor Trelawney that it was Snape who overheard the prophecy and told it to Voldemort, resulting in Voldemort hunting down Harry and his parents. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Being an Occlumens, Snape is able to keep his betrayal from Voldemort, who is himself described as being "the greatest Legilimens" in history. nose-bleed. But the story needs a great storyteller. I think the coolest thing you can do with an audience is deny them a little bit of information. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is a 2011 fantasy film directed by David Yates from a screenplay by Steve Kloves. I would not have it ripped apart on my account. [75] In May 2011, Snape was again voted as the No. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part I (2010) Budget: $125 million. In the Harry Potter movies, she played the kooky Professor Trelawney and earned every dollar she got for the role by bringing us many hilarious scenes to watch. In. He then became a double agent for Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. As a child, Snape was apparently neglected and his parents often fought with one another. I would say that, yes, Snape had likely murdered before his killing of Dumbledore. It was a war with many casualties, and cowardly Coward, did you call me, Potter? shouted Snape. From these memories, Harry sees Snape's childhood and learns his true loyalties. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. It is an ancient need to be told stories. the rushing of the flames, Hagrids yells, and the wild yelping of the It shows his ability to commit the action, motivations and altruism aside. Published: 07:12 EST, 27 February 2023 | Updated: 10:20 EST, 27 February 2023 . Snape first appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, shortly after Harry arrives at Hogwarts. [40] (Towards the end of the book, Harry learns that this was Snape's Patronus, taking the same shape as Harry's mother Lily's Patronus, a visible sign of his lifelong love for Harry's mother, and that Dumbledore had asked Snape to ensure that Harry gained possession of the sword. Snape may be the Potions Master, but he is more than just another Hogwarts teacher. Harris was determined to portray Dumbledore again in Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), despite having been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and asked David Heyman not to recast the role. [69] The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Sirius claimed that Snape knew more hexes and curses as a first-year student at Hogwarts than most seventh-years knew. Worldwide box office: $960.43 million . She has said that she drew inspiration for Snape's character from a disliked teacher from her own childhood,[4] and described Snape as a horrible teacher,[5] saying the "worst, shabbiest thing you can do" as a teacher is to bully students. Snape delivered the partial prophecy to Voldemort in 1980, anxious to curry favor. And does not address the sole legitimate criticism of that answer either. until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter! The main ingredient was wolfsbane (also referred to as aconite or monkshood). The snake from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was supposed to be a boa constrictor. [22] Snape is a sinister and malicious teacher who makes frequent snide and disparaging remarks at Harry's expense. [19] Rowling said "the series is built around [the Dumbledore and Snape storylines]", and maintained that she always knew what Snape would turn out to be at the end and that she carefully plotted his storyline throughout the series. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. "[2], IGN listed Snape as their 4th top Harry Potter character, saying that he makes "quite an impact in the Harry Potter series",[72] and IGN's Joe Utichi called Snape his favourite Harry Potter character and praised his character development. [6] However, she does suggest in the books that he is generally an effective teacher. [62] Snape is shown using this spell as a teenager against Harry's father James[26] and in the aerial battle in the last novel when he accidentally hits George Weasley (acting as a Potter decoy) with it while actually aiming for a Death Eater who was trying to attack Lupin, permanently severing George's right ear. In the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the younger Snape, perhaps ten or eleven, is played by Benedict Clarke. It is later revealed that Snape had in fact supplied Umbridge with fake Veritaserum on the prior attempt. But when Scorpius shows that he knows of Snape having been in love with Lily, Harry's mother Snape's most closely guarded secret Snape becomes convinced that he does indeed come from a different timeline where Harry and his friends won. In the first, Dumbledore says that James saved Snape' s life but presents Snape 's debt to him as being subjective, existing in Snape 's mind and rooted in his tumultuous emotions, something that he has chosen to act on under no outer compulsion. Snape is famously menacing and strict, and Hogwarts students know better than to talk back to him or try to argue with him. Despite this separation and Snape's enduring animosity toward Lily's eventual husband James Potter, Snape continued to love Lily for the rest of his life. Later, Dumbledore assures Harry that Snape's reformation is genuine, though he refuses to tell Harry how he knows this, saying the information "is a matter between Professor Snape and myself".[29]. feet before he could complete it; "" Cruc yelled Harry for the What could he have done where someone like Voldemort would think, "This is one of my main guys"? Hogwarts' infamous potions professor Severus Snape is 31 years old in the books but had an age difference of nearly 20 years from his eventual actor Alan Rickman. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Voldemort lured Harry to the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic so that Harry could retrieve a prophecy. That Harry survived Avada Kedavra twice is an anomaly, not a reflection on Snape's wilingness to allow Harry to die. $2.0 billion: Even though DVDs went out of style way before the "Harry Potter" movies did, the franchise has still generated at least $2.0 billion in DVD sales. The issue was given special attention in the marketing campaigns on behalf of the last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.