Severus Snape

Contesto e storia

Snape's life is defined by his love for Muggle-born Lily Evans, Harry's mother, which eventually compelled him to defect from the Death Eaters. Despite his attraction to the Dark Arts and Voldemort's ideology of wizard supremacy, he became a double agent for Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. The fact that Lily chose James Potter, Harry's father, only fuels Snape's hostility towards Harry. Rowling described Snape as an 'antihero' and a 'gift of a character', whose story she had known since the first book. She drew inspiration for Snape's character from a disliked teacher from her own childhood, and described Snape as a horrible teacher, saying the 'worst, shabbiest thing you can do' as a teacher is to bully students. However, she does suggest in the books that he is generally an effective teacher. Snape was reportedly based, at least in part, on John Nettleship, who taught Rowling chemistry and employed her mother as an assistant at Wyedean School near Chepstow. Rowling based Snape's given name on 'Severus Road' in Clapham, and his surname is borrowed from the name of a village in England.

Nella loro storia

Snape first appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, shortly after Harry arrives at Hogwarts. He is the school's Potions Master, though he is widely rumoured to covet the Defence Against the Dark Arts post. Snape himself confirms the rumour in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Snape is a sinister and malicious teacher who makes frequent snide and disparaging remarks at Harry's expense. He quickly becomes the primary antagonist of the book, as Harry suspects him of plotting to steal the Philosopher's Stone, and of attempting to kill him. Only the climax of the book reveals that Professor Quirrell, in league with Lord Voldemort, is the real enemy; Snape, suspicious of Quirrell, had been looking out for Harry throughout the book. In the final chapter, Dumbledore suggests that because Harry's father James had saved Snape's life when they were both students, even though the two detested each other, Snape felt responsible for Harry in return. As the final book reveals, this is not the full story. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Snape demonstrates his expertise with potions by brewing the complex Wolfsbane potion for the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Remus Lupin. Near the climax of the book, Snape attempts to apprehend Sirius, but Sirius escapes with Harry's aid. Snape retaliates by revealing to the entire school that Lupin is a werewolf, forcing the latter to resign his post. Prisoner of Azkaban reveals more details about the connection between Snape and James: while in school together, Sirius once tricked Snape into almost entering the Shrieking Shack while Lupin was there, transformed into a werewolf. James realised the danger and stopped Snape, saving his life. Snape, however, believes James's actions were self-serving to avoid being expelled. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Snape is named as a Death Eater by Igor Karkaroff, but Dumbledore comes to Snape's defence, claiming that although Snape had indeed been a Death Eater, he changed sides before Voldemort's downfall and turned spy against him. At the end of the book, Snape willingly shows Cornelius Fudge the restored Dark Mark on his arm. He is subsequently sent on a secret mission by Dumbledore: to rejoin the Death Eaters and spy on Voldemort as a re-doubled agent, while pretending to spy on Dumbledore on behalf of Voldemort. In the fifth novel, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Snape continues working as a re-doubled agent for Dumbledore. He is seen prior to the start of school at Number 12, Grimmauld Place giving reports to the Order of the Phoenix. He has a very strained relationship with Sirius, who owns Grimmauld Place and must remain there in hiding. Later in the book, Dumbledore has Snape teach Harry Occlumency, the protection of the mind from outside intrusion or influence. Snape dies at the hands of Lord Voldemort in the seventh book, at which time his back story is revealed.

Guida alla lettura

Severus Snape is a complex character whose true loyalties are not revealed until the final book. Rowling hinted numerous times at Snape's important role, suggesting that people should 'keep their eye on Snape'. After the completion of the series, 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. Rowling further said in an interview that she wanted Snape to find redemption and forgiveness: 'Snape is a complicated man...he was a flawed human being, like all of us. Harry forgives him...Harry really sees the good in Snape ultimately... I wanted there to be redemption.' Alan Rickman portrayed Snape in all eight Harry Potter films, released between 2001 and 2011. Paapa Essiedu will portray the character in the upcoming HBO TV adaptation.

Lo sapevi?

• Rowling described Snape as 'a gift of a character', whose story she had known since the first book.
• Elizabeth Hand of The Washington Post explained that Snape's life 'is the most heartbreaking, surprising and satisfying of all of Rowling's achievements'.
• Rowling based Snape's given name on 'Severus Road' in Clapham, and his surname is borrowed from the name of a village in England.
• In 1999, one female fan guessed Snape loved Lily Potter, making Rowling wonder how she had given herself away.
• Rowling said that after the publication of Prisoner of Azkaban, she was surprised by a fan's foresight regarding Snape's love life.