Introduction

The complexities of Severus Snape's character have long fascinated fans of the Harry Potter series. Often portrayed as a mysterious and often antagonistic figure, Snape's motivations go beyond the simple love-hate dichotomy, revealing a multifaceted personality marked by loyalty, prejudice, and paradoxical affection. Let's explore Snape's relationship with Lily Evans and her son, Harry Potter, in the context of the Harry Potter universe as portrayed in the books.

Snap’s Love for Lily Evans

Snape has a deep and complicated relationship with Lily Evans, his true love. Despite his actions and the way he treats Harry, Snape is passionate about Lily. His feelings for her are not just romantic but also maternal, as he feels a responsibility towards Lily's son, Harry. Underlying this is a bitter remnant of pain, stemming from the fact that both his and Lily’s love for James Potter resulted in the birth of Harry, who symbolizes Snape's regret over his past actions and the havoc they have caused.

Protector of Harry

Despite his hatred for Harry, Snape remains loyal to Lily's memory and, through this loyalty, he protects her child. His hatred is directed towards the pain and regret that Harry's existence brings. Snape’s actions, such as joining the Order of the Phoenix to secretly help Harry, reveal a layer of love beneath his apparent anger and resentment.

The Muggleborn Issue

Snape's prejudice against muggleborns is well-documented and stark. He harbors a deep-seated hatred for those who have no magical heritage, particularly those of the Muggleborn type. This prejudice is not just personal but deeply rooted in the values of the Dark Lord, Voldemort, whom Snape admired and supported during his youth. However, Snape’s twisted loyalty to Lily causes him to contradict these beliefs, making his behavior towards Harry even more complex.

Snape’s Behavior Towards Harry

Snape's behavior towards Harry is often cruel and abusive. In the third book, Prisoner of Azkaban, we see Snape’s disdain towards Harry manifesting as a teacher abusing the power he has over a student he despises. This is evident in the following passage:

“SILENCE! I WILL NOT BE SPOKEN TO LIKE THAT!” Snape shrieked, looking madder than ever. “Like father like son, Potter! […] You would have been well served if he’d killed you! You’d have died like your father too, too arrogant to believe you might be mistaken in Black – now get out of the way or I will make you. GET OUT OF THE WAY, POTTER!” (PoA 361)

These harsh words and actions underscore Snape’s hatred for Harry, who is perceived to be a copy of his bully, James Potter. The punishment he metes out to Harry is not just a means to enforce discipline but also retribution for the existence that brings him pain.

Snape’s Affirmation of Prejudice

Snape’s unswerving prejudice is exemplified by his behavior during the fifth year, where he openly refers to students and friends as 'mudbloods.' This term, 'mudblood,' is a derogatory label for witches and wizards who are born to non-magical parents. In The Order of the Phoenix, we see Snape’s past reflected in his present actions:

“I hate muggle-borns, and - and half-bloods too, of course,” Snape said, looking around to see who would protest. No one dared to. “I detested them even before I knew I was a wizard, and when I joined the Death Eaters, it was because they were the enemies of our Dark Lord. I stayed in Slytherin and did as all the purebloods do, growing ever more prejudiced, ever more bitter, ever more insular until my world revolved entirely around a handful of twisted friends of the same background.” (OoP 452)

Snape’s full embrace of the Death Eaters and his willingness to support their horrific acts, including torture and murder, is a reflection of his deep-seated prejudice and his alignment with the Dark Lord. Snape's preference for the Death Eaters over the Order of the Phoenix is a significant indicator of the extent of his irrational hatred.

Conclusion

Snape’s character is a testament to the complexity of human emotions and motivations. His love for Lily and his hatred for Harry are not simple binaries but complex interplays of loyalty, regret, and prejudice. While Snape’s actions towards Harry are often cruel, his underlying loyalty to Lily and her memory provide a nuanced understanding of his behavior. Snack’s journey from a bully to a spy, and from a prejudiced young man to a conflicted adult, is a fascinating exploration of the dark and light elements within every human soul.