Severus Snape’s true nature is a mystery in the Harry Potter series. Some readers believe he is purely evil, while others argue he has aided the Order of the Phoenix and helped Harry in subtle ways. Dumbledore trusts him, but his murder of Dumbledore is the greatest act of villainy he commits. His true loyalties will hopefully be revealed in the final book.
In the Harry Potter books, Severus Snape is one of the most enigmatic characters and it is extremely difficult for readers to determine where his loyalties lie. A note of slimy evil seems to accompany him throughout many of the books, even when he is clearly shown to have saved Harry’s life or helped other witches and wizards. Hopefully, his true nature will be revealed in the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
According to some readers, Snape is just plain evil and has been working at Hogwarts for many years with an agenda of his own. When Voldemort finally returns, Snape finally transforms, having made sure that his master is powerful enough to protect him. A great deal of evidence supports this claim, starting with the fact that he told Voldemort of a prophecy that led to the deaths of Harry’s parents. Other evidence can also be gathered: he is consistently mean to Harry, doesn’t seem to be honest about all of his activities and actions, and in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, he kills Professor Dumbledore.
However, the argument that it is purely evil is too simplistic. JK Rowling has shown immense depth and maturity in her books, and it seems unlikely that she could make such a crucial character plainly and simply evil. He’s an iconic character because of his difficult nature: unlike Voldemort, who is obviously evil, and Dumbledore, who is purely good, Snape is enigmatic and difficult, like many people in the real world.
Additionally, he does several things that are incompatible with being evil. Even though she taught Harry Potter for six years, she didn’t kill Harry. Indeed, a dark witch accuses him of working for Dumbledore with this very argument, asking why he didn’t kill Harry when he had the chance, before she knew that Voldemort had returned and wanted Harry for his own ends. He might act cruel to Harry Potter to keep him away from him in order to better protect him. Alternatively, she may be grappling with the constant reminder of his revelation to Voldemort that led to the murders of Lily and James Potter.
He also helps Harry when he can, often in cunning ways so that his assistance goes unnoticed. For example, in the first book, Professor Quirrel tries to knock Harry off his broom during a Quidditch match. Snape casts a counter curse to keep Harry safe. In the fifth book, he refuses to give Veritaserum to Professor Umbridge when she asks him to question Harry.
It’s also clear that he has aided the Order of the Phoenix, often in ways that have put them at serious risk. He returned to Voldemort when he was resurrected: some readers argue that this is evidence of his being evil and ready to serve Voldemort. Others point out that he was reluctant to return, but he did so out of loyalty to the Order, knowing that a spy inside would benefit greatly.
Finally, Dumbledore has repeatedly stated that he trusts Snape. Dumbledore is a reliable character, generally portrayed as the wisest and most knowledgeable of all the people in Harry’s life. The reasons for Dumbledore’s trust are never clarified, although they may be made clear in the last book. Dumbledore’s faith may be based on very good evidence that Harry can’t yet discover, for his own certainty.
The greatest act of villainy Snape commits is the murder of Dumbledore in the climactic scene atop the astronomy tower in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This act may not be as evil as it sounds: after all, he is bound by an Unbreakable Vow to help Draco Malfoy complete the task set for him by Voldemort. Dumbledore no doubt knows this, and probably begs him to do his duty, not to save Dumbledore’s life, especially since he may already be dead. Dumbledore is acutely aware that if Snape will die if he will not kill him because this is the consequence of breaking an Unbreakable Vow. Dumbledore might even have thought that he was more useful alive and at least that he seemed to be working for Voldemort. It is possible that he is actually still working for the Order and will appear on the side of good in the seventh book after all.
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