It’s been a week since the death of Alan Rickman, and both the wizard and muggle communities are still mourning over the irrevocable loss.
There will never be another actor like Alan Rickman who can portray the sheer brilliance of the best Harry Potter character, our beloved Professor Snape with such precision and authenticity in Harry Potter.
Did you know that Alan Rickman almost denied playing Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” movies?
Here’s reminiscing the memories of one of our favorite characters in the Harry Potter series and enlisting the reasons why he deserves a place in our hearts forever.
1. An Ideal Lover
This obviously stands as the undisputed winner among all the points as to why he is one of the best Harry Potter characters. Snape manages to gain a top spot in “most romantic quotes of literature” by uttering just a single word.
His “always” is the dream of all love birds out there, especially Harry Potter fans.
Be it the change of his Patronus to a doe, the same as that of his love – Lily Evans, or his relentless effort to save Harry, the child he despised – Harry, because he was the child of Lily Potter, Snape is THE MAN to look up to for love goals and Snape’s loyalty.
No character can portray “unconditional love” in such an immaculate manner as he did. He is an example of how true love can bring an absolute positive transformation in a man (well, technically a wizard). Love made our dear Professor Snape.
2. Epitome of Valor
Well, back off, Voldemort, and get over yourself. “He Who Must Not Be Named” was the nightmare of every wizard, and rightly so.
The wizard community had never seen a villain so lethal ever. Still, this man challenged both Voldemort’s intellect and power all by himself, and we can’t deny the fact that Lord Voldemort possessed an immeasurable amount of both these qualities.
To fake being a confidant to the most dreaded wizard and play the role successfully till his last breath makes Professor Snape the best teacher of courage, strength, and, of course, valor.
The most interesting character in the Harry Potter books, the Harry potter Films, and the best part of the Harry Potter Franchise, though, is the masterfully drawn Severus Snape. Neville Longbottom, who begins the series as a funny eejit, eventually becomes heroic, and up until the end of The Deathly Hallows, I had a treasured belief that Neville would turn out to be the true hero of the novels, finally defeating Voldemort.
3. A Combination of Wit, Wisdom, and Intellect
You don’t just become “The Half-Blood Prince” out of the blue. From his mind-boggling puzzle for guarding the philosopher’s stone to his innovative notes that made Harry Potter a genius at “potions,” Snape surpassed the definitions of smart and canny.
Well, it takes a genius to dupe the most powerful wizard and devise plans beyond human imagination to bring about his downfall.
Wisdom, you ask? – “Well, it may have escaped your notice, but life isn’t fair,” is what he tells Harry potter in his private occupancy classes.
Wit you ask? – “Yes, it is easy to see that nearly six years of magical education have not been wasted on you, Potter. Ghosts are transparent.” Yes, you all can let out a “high-pitched giggle” now.
4. A Stolid Man Uninterested in Appreciation and Certification from The World
Isn’t that an answer to how a perfect man should be? We don’t need to stress that the world today is all about pretentious people sacrificing their values for fame and recognition from strangers and acquaintances alike.
He is, in fact, a hero. Snape had the guts to infiltrate Lord Voldemort’s Death Eaters and risk his life on a daily basis, unlike Harry ‘Never out Of the Hospital Wing’ Potter.
He even went so far as to become more despised than the Dark Lord himself when Snape kills Dumbledore only because the Headmaster demanded it.
And here was this man, alien to diplomacy, ready to be hated for who he was not, obscuring all his remarkable traits from the world. If you do not idolize this man, we know not who you do.
There would be no characters with truly human anxieties, drives, and urges if Snape were not in the books.
There are just idealistic do-gooders and pure evil monsters. He is what sets the book apart from pure fantasy.
Snape towers over JK Rowling. That’s why she’s so determined to bring him down.
Quoting the book – “My word, Severus Snape, that I shall never reveal the best of you?’ Albus Dumbledore sighed, looking down into Snape’s ferocious, anguished face.” PERIOD.
5. A Self-Made Warrior
Severus Snape’s story is quite sad; it is clearly implied that Severus Snape had a tough time during his childhood. He was a half-blood and belonged to a poor family.
Snape began using the alias “The Half-Blood Prince” in school. He was a half-blood, born to a Muggle father, Tobias Snape, and a witch mother, Eileen Prince.
Snape’s father had been neglectful and occasionally abusive, which could have contributed to his disdain for Muggles as snape spent his childhood living a life with such a man.
His relationship with his father was an unpleasant affair, and he grew up as a socially awkward and reserved child with few amenities at his disposal.
He is also shown to be bullied by James Potter and his group. He lost the love of his life to another man and ultimately to death.
But all this didn’t stop him from becoming one of the greatest wizards playing a pivotal role in cleansing the wizard community of the greatest evil that the entire wizarding world could witness.
What more can I say about Professor Snape’s character and why he is the favorite character? He was simply the best; it took us so long to realize that!
