(no subject)

[nigeltde]

I was thinking today about Severus Snape and his seemingly eternal state of bitchy spitefulness. First up, I do love him. Why? Because he's so wonderfully unpleasant, so bitchy/snarky, so complicated, so flawed. I think it's unusual to have a character who's ostensibly on the 'good' side have so many 'bad' qualities. Plus, and I'm not ashamed to admit it, I saw the first movie before reading the books, and my predisposition towards Alan Rickman lead to an immediate liking for Snape.

But I've also been sucked into the popular fan portrayal of Snape as kind of tragic hero of the Shakespearean tradition (damn you, AR!): a noble mind undermined and corrupted by uncontrollable 'baser' passions - jealousy (Othello), power-lust (Macbeth), etc. In Snape's case, a toal inability to forgive a wrongdoing and a hell of a temper. And then I thought, Woah! Hold your horses there, girlie. Sure, he's undeniably extremely intelligent (which in a way adds to the 'tragic' aspect, considering the childishness of many of his actions), but the 'noble' part? That's really only a fanon conception. It can be inferred, I think plausibly, from the books, but so can other, less charitable, readings of his character. Besides the glimpse of him as a child in OotP, there's no real evidence of him having a state of grace from which to fall at all (if that makes sense). Moreover, JKR has hinted in interviews that he'll be returning to the dark side in the future.

So, I guess that unless I want my heart broken, I'm going to have to stop assuming so much about Snape's past. Man, I can't wait for book 6!

Anyway, I'd love to know how y'all see him. Tragic hero? Unredeemable bastard? Is he pathetic or just deeply flawed? Does he deserve our derision, pity, admiration, what? C'mon, I know you have opinions!

NB: Talking about Book!Snape here, I'm generally too distracted by AR to think about Movie!Snape in any depth ;-)

Comments

[corvus-coronis.livejournal.com]

I basically see him as a potential sex-object ~ I just have that "thing" for those smart, shadowy guys ^^

ps -

[corvus-coronis.livejournal.com]

Although I have seen the movie again recently, so I think that is influencing me. He (book) reminds me of a guy I once worked for, a hell of a mind but just basically out of control of himself, even though he tried to give the impression of being in control.

Re: ps -

[nigeltde]

a hell of a mind but just basically out of control of himself, even though he tried to give the impression of being in control.
actually, that's a really good summation of Snape, I think.

As for potential sex object - hell yeah!

[lainy122.livejournal.com]

I've never really thought about it that much in depth.....I kind of like Snape, because he's a well rounded character that everyone loves to hate, and he is able to create rivlary/enemity/whatever for Harry to experience in school without dealing with the momentous task of a Voldermort confrontation or the almost triviality of Draco's jealousy and competetiveness. It also lends the books a kind of student vs teacher element, which kids always love to read ;)

Personally, I'd be very disappointed if Snape returned to the dark side of the force, because one of the reasons I liked him is the strength of character it must've taken for him to forsake the Death Eaters (even not openly) and to turn his back on someone as deadly and unforgiving as Lord Voldemort.

So, yeah. *shrugs* Just some ideas on the subject :)

[nigeltde]

Good point about the various roles he's able to play; he's a bit like a plot device in that respect! *g*

one of the reasons I liked him is the strength of character it must've taken for him to forsake the Death Eaters
Total word on that. And not only turn his back, but spy! Yeeeowch. I can't wait for the full story behind all of this! You know, I never really thought I'd be disappointed if it turned out that way, just sad and angry, but you're right. It really would be disappointing to see all that character work go down the drain :-(

[lainy122.livejournal.com]

Totally. And I have a little more faith in Rowling than that, so here's to hoping that its one of those foundationless rumors!

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