Skip to content

MuggleNet

  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Listicles / The Daily Prophet

Five Reasons Why I’ll Never Call Snape a Hero

by Lizzie Gladwyn · April 19, 2017

The argument of whether or not  Professor Severus Snape is a hero seems as old as time itself. Now, let’s get this straight: I adore the characterization of Snape. He is a rich, dynamic, and intriguing character, but he is also a terrible human being.

 

He does not protect Harry out of the goodness of his heart

I have heard so many times that he is a hero because he protects Harry without recognition for the trouble he goes to. But let’s look at this again, shall we? He protects Harry to ease his guilt for the death of Lily.

 

Source

 

If we compare this to the way in which he tries to help Draco Malfoy, he appears to have a different, albeit not any more successful, way of doing this. But even this has another point; Snape had taken an Unbreakable Vow to protect Draco. The punishment of not fulfilling it would be his own death, so even here it can be argued he is protecting himself and not Draco!

 

He transfers to the “good” side for selfish reasons

 

Source

 

Yes, yes, I hear you. Snape turned good and gave up his chance of a life to be a double agent. But I have one massive problem with this reasoning. He only sought out Dumbledore when he was personally affected by Voldemort’s deeds. He was hurt. He lost someone he loved. It was only then that he saw the evil of his work. He did not repent for the other lives lost to evil, and he only mourned for his own loss. This does not make him selfless and a hero! This makes him selfish and self-absorbed.

 

He is a bully

Snape was bullied throughout Hogwarts, but he had chosen to continue this pattern with his own students. Teachers have their own styles, I get that! But this teacher’s style is to berate, humiliate, and scare his students into following his rules.

 

Source

 
 

He had a choice, and he chose Voldemort

Remember, if the time should come when you have to choose between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort.” – Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Even though Dumbledore is talking about Cedric Diggory, we can see that Snape chose the easy path (to be a servant of Voldemort), and even when he chose the right path, he did not do it to be good or kind. He was brave, I’ll give you that, but what do you think he would have done if Lily had not been murdered? Would he have sought out Dumbledore then? I highly doubt it.

 

He is a terrible teacher

Now, teachers aren’t expected to like every student they teach. However, they are supposed to be professional. They are there to teach, to impart their wisdom to future generations, and to find ways to help students engage with the topic. There are many instances of Professor Snape acting out of line when teaching the trio that suggests his love of teaching does not extend to all pupils. Five points from Gryffindor for answering a question right? Only Snape can do that!

 

Have I convinced you? Will you forever love Snape? Let me know what you think in the comments!

 

Source

Social:

  • Next story Sorting “Gilmore Girls” Characters into Hogwarts Houses – Part 1
  • Previous story Role Call: Old Roundup, New Tricks

MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

May 2025

Sat, May 24

Jim Broadbent's birthday
Recurs yearly

Horace Slughorn

Sun, May 25

In the early morning hours, Harry and Ron meet Aragog in Forbidden Forest
Recurs yearly

1993

Mon, May 26

Detention in the forest; Quirrell drinks unicorn blood
Recurs yearly

1992

Helena Bonham Carter's birthday
Recurs yearly

Bellatrix Lestrange

MuggleNet podcasts are sponsored in part by Secretlab.

Thanks to its research-backed ergonomic design, including a proprietary 4-way adaptive lumbar support system, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Harry Potter Edition will comfortably support you even when you’re up to no good.

Did You Know

The Golden Snitch was invented by Bowman Wright, a metal charmer who lived during the Middle Ages.

Potter History

August 8, 2012 – The Harry Potter series is voted the best ever teen fiction book series in a poll on NPR.

Potter Quote

“There’s no need to call me ‘sir,’ Professor.”

MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fansite.
Please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
© 1999–2025 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Terms of Use | Feedback


MuggleNet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Bookshop.org's affiliate program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and bookshop.org.