There are many characters in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter who have drawn the fandom’s attention and affection but few have been as controversial as Potions teacher and Slytherin extraordinaire Severus Snape. The so-called ‘dungeon bat’ of Hogwarts has both his die-hard fans and numerous critics. Neither evil nor completely good, he is a morally gray character, which is exactly what makes him so divisive.
But whether fans like Snape or not, it's hard to argue with how much he contributes to the overall success of the Harry Potter series. His sacrifice is what ultimately ensures Harry’s success in his fight against Voldemort. At the same time, there are many instances in the series where Snape stands out as the best character.
10 His First Words To Harry Set Him Up As A Presence To Be Feared, But His words Have A Deeper Meaning
Many teachers at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry displayed a great deal of enthusiasm about having Harry Potter as a student. From the very first Potions lesson, however, it was obvious that Severus Snape would not be one of them. The way Snape introduces the subtle art of potions-making is just as legendary as his rapid-fire assault of questions directed at Harry. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Harry is unable to reply, and the incident immediately sets Snape up as a presence to be feared.
Interestingly enough, Snape’s first words to Harry—referencing the Draught of Living Death—may actually have a different meaning. In Victorian flower language, asphodel is a type of lily that symbolizes regrets that follow you to the grave, whereas wormwood indicates 'absence.' In other words, Snape is expressing his regret for Lily’s death, though he is likely aware Harry won’t understand it.
9 His Duel With Lockheart Has Every Student Cheering For Him
Harry Potter has never had the best luck with Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, and his second year is no exception. The incompetent Gilderoy Lockhart proves to be a fraud who steals other people’s accomplishments using the Obliviate spell. But if there’s one thing Gilderoy’s stay at school offers Harry Potter fans, it’s more brilliant Snape moments.
When Gilderoy suggests hosting a dueling club, he and Snape end up fighting each other. It’s a brilliant moment that manages to display Snape’s strength as a duelist and amuses viewers at the same time. The students cheer for the Potions Master, intuitively knowing that Lockhart is simply no match for him.
8 He Protects The Golden Trio From A Rampaging Werewolf
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban sees the golden trio learning the truth about the death of Harry’s parents. They come face to face with Sirius Black, who reveals that he wasn’t the one who betrayed James and Lily and that Peter Pettigrew is the real culprit. Events escalate when both Remus Lupin and Severus Snape make their appearance. Having forgotten to take his wolfsbane potion, Lupin turns into a werewolf.
Snape throws himself in front of the three children, shielding them from the rampaging beast with his own body. It’s a particularly good moment, especially since viewers later learn that Lupin's werewolf form actually attacked Snape when they were both students. Snape is a strong man, but some traumatic memories would have lingered.
7 His Bullying By The Marauders Shows Things Are Rarely Black & White
One of the worst things about Snape's character is the way he treats the children under his care. Harry Potter is one of the most well-known targets of his vitriol. Snape’s resentment is caused by his own years spent at Hogwarts, where he was relentlessly bullied by the Marauders. Led by Harry’s father, James, the group of pranksters made Snape’s life hell, and their behavior is part of the reason why Snape’s friendship with Lily falls apart.
This ugly truth is revealed to Harry during his occlumency lessons. Himself a victim of bullying, Harry doesn’t want to believe James was capable of such a thing. In the end, he has no choice but to accept it and to accept that life isn’t fair since his own father worked to keep things that way during his years as a Hogwarts student.
6 His Biting Response To Dolores Umbridge’s Request Is Just One Example Of His Sharp Sarcasm
Snape's sharp tongue is always reliable and his biting sarcasm often provides excellent and satisfying moments. While his wit often targets the golden trio, a particularly notable example involves Dolores Umbridge. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Umbridge asks Snape for a vial of veritaserum.
Snape refuses to help her, though he comments that he has the utmost sympathy for anyone who wants to poison Harry Potter. He makes it sound like he is genuinely on Umbridge’s side, though this couldn’t be further from the truth.
5 Dumbledore’s Death Makes Severus An Even More Tragic Character Than He Already Is
After Dumbledore makes the mistake of putting on the Gaunt ring, the curse on the Horcrux seals his fate. He only survives because of Snape’s expertise in the Dark Arts, but it is still the Potions master who has to end his life. Complying with the Unbreakable Vow he made to Narcissa Malfoy and cementing his place among the Death Eaters, Snape kills Dumbledore during the Death Eaters’ infiltration of the school.
It’s a tragic moment, particularly since those watching—like Harry—don’t realize how much it hurts Severus to cast the Avada Kedavra that ends Dumbledore's life. A similar instance is when he is forced to watch the death of Charity Burbage and unable to do anything about it.
4 His Duel With Minerva McGonagall May Be An Unexpected Stroke Of Genius
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Severus becomes the headmaster of Hogwarts, ruling the school in Voldemort’s name. His tenure doesn’t last, as he is eventually ousted from the school. The incident is quite different in the books, as several members of the staff team up to take Severus down.
In the movies, it is only Minerva McGonagall who confronts him. In the intense duel that follows, Snape manages to deflect Minerva’s fiery spell straight into the two nearby Death Eaters, the Carrow twins, before making his escape. It’s hard to know if this was on purpose, but it certainly seems like something Snape would do.
3 His Tragic Death Brings Tears To The Eyes Of Every Fan
A skilled Occlumens, Severus is one of the few people ever successfully lie to Voldemort and acts as a double agent for the Order of the Phoenix for most of the series. The Dark Lord never realizes the truth but in the end, orders Nagini to kill him anyway, mistaking Severus for the master of the Elder Wand.
Snape dies in Harry’s arms, after offering the young wizard his tears. It’s a truly moving moment, even for viewers who don’t particularly like the character.
2 Snape’s Memories Reveal His Allegiance In A Heartbreaking Way
In the aftermath of Snape’s death, Harry views his memories in Dumbledore’s Pensieve. It is then that Snape’s true allegiance is revealed. While some may have argued Snape was working for Dumbledore, in reality, it was Lily he was always loyal to.
His loneliness at losing her, his desperation to save her, his grief upon finding her body, and finally, his Patronus—still shaped like a doe in Lily’s memory—finally make viewers understand Snape's true intentions and put his whole life and his final fate into perspective.
1 Alan Rickman Delivers Some Of The Most Iconic Lines In The Movie
Severus Snape’s popularity is no doubt caused at least in part by Alan Rickman’s brilliant portrayal. Even simple lines like “Turn to page 394” and “Obviously” have become iconic, with every single Harry Potter fan knowing exactly the moment they are said and even remembering the tone of his voice.
But it is his Snape's to Lily Potter that makes him so special, and that is also crystallized in a simple, but memorable line, "Always." Some fans do still argue that Severus's affection for Lily was toxic but it was still the only real bond he had, a connection that anchored him from a very young age. Even with all the mistakes he made, Severus Snape remains one of the best characters in Harry Potter.