Rowling based Snape's given name on 'Severus Road' in Clapham, and his surname is borrowed from the name of a village in England. Although Rowling has said that Gilderoy Lockhart is her only character that she 'deliberately based on a real person', Snape was reportedly based, at least in part, on John Nettleship, who taught Rowling chemistry and employed her mother as an assistant at Wyedean School near Chepstow. However, she does suggest in the books that he is generally an effective teacher. She has said that she drew inspiration for Snape's character from a disliked teacher from her own childhood, and described Snape as a horrible teacher, saying the 'worst, shabbiest thing you can do' as a teacher is to bully students. In an interview, Rowling described Snape's character as an ' antihero'. Actor Alan Rickman portrayed Snape in all eight Harry Potter films, released between 20. Elizabeth Hand of The Washington Post explained that Snape's life 'is the most heartbreaking, surprising and satisfying of all of Rowling's achievements'.

Rowling described him as 'a gift of a character' whose story she had known since the first book. Snape's character has been widely acclaimed by readers and critics. The fact that Lily chose James Potter, Harry's father, only fuels Snape's hostility towards Harry. He then became a double agent for Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. Despite his attraction to the Dark Arts and Voldemort's ideology of wizard supremacy, Snape's love for Muggle-born Lily Evans, Harry's mother, eventually compelled him to defect from the Death Eaters. Snape dies at the hands of Lord Voldemort in the seventh book, at which time his back story is revealed. A central mystery is unravelled concerning his loyalties. According to the series, James bullied Snape during their time together at Hogwarts.Īs the series progresses, Snape's character becomes more layered and enigmatic. A Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Snape is hostile to Harry due to his resemblance to his father James Potter. He is an exceptionally skilled wizard whose extremely cold and resentful exterior conceals deep emotions and anguish. Severus Snape is a fictional character in J. Potions Professor of Hogwarts (1981–1996) Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (1997–1998)ĭefence Against the Dark Arts Professor of Hogwarts (1996–1997)

Dumbledore and snape