Over at one of my favorite HP Discussion spots, HogwartsProfessor.com (which was offline for quite some time getting its server fixed!) there is quite a discussion going on regarding the character of Severus Snape as a Machiavellian character. Read the entire discussion here. John Granger has been firmly in the Snape is good camp for quite some time, but here seems to be switching alliances. You should read the whole thing, it's really interesting (note to The New York Times, yet again - these are not just children's books). I take a different view then Good!Snape or Bad!Snape. Here's my latest post at HogwartsProfessor on the topic:It is clear as we are coming down to the wire with just a few weeks between us and the final books, that hands-down, the best (and perhaps central) character is Severus Snape. The complexity of his character means that this character truly has what Dumbledore says to Harry in the first book, choices. Severus’ character in every way is built on his choices.
It could be that the Deathly Hallows could be subtitled The Choice of Severus Snape. It’s not a done deal that Severus will make the right choice or the right series of choices, but so far I believe he has. I also believe that he does have an inner-Machiavellian nature that he works hard to control (and not always successfully). He is by nature bad, not good. And his choices for good are what makes his character so identifiable to us. Human nature, left to its own devises, is Machiavellian and what is astonishing is how we choose a different way.
And that choice comes to us because of love. For Christians, it is based on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, because He loved us first we can love. For Harry, who knew no love in his childhood (perhaps like Snape, and most especially like Voldemort), was still loved first by his mother, Lily - her sacrifice has literally been the gift that keeps on giving. Harry loves because he too was loved first.
Jo Rowling has told us that Snape, unlike Voldemort, has been loved in his life. We are fairly certain that Dumbledore loved him - and it’s clear that Snape is in incredible pain following Dumbledore’s death (and he keeps saving Harry’s life even then, giving him advice on how to defeat the Dark Lord even as he is running with Draco for the out perimeters of Hogwarts so that they can escape). He only completely looses it when Harry calls into question Snape’s courage - and one can imagine that even at this point Snape is doing all he can to control his Machiavellian nature. That is what makes his character so compelling. He is a bad man doing good.
And aren’t we all in a similar place, if the Scriptures are true?
2 comments:
Hi, i just surfed in searching for interesting blogs on Spirituality, you have a cool blog. Do keep up the good work. I'll be back even though i live far from where you live. its nice to be able to see what people from across the world thinks.
Warm Regards from the Other Side of the Moon.
On a related note perhaps you might find the following link interesting. Its propossing a theory and i'll like to hear your take on the subject via comments. See ya...
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Jesus an Essenes ?
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BB. I would argue a little differently, although I am sure I am in the minority.
Human nature is good. God created us in His image. That image, which He pronounced as "good", remains in us today although it is damaged, wounded by sin.
The church is a spiritual hospital here to help heal the wounds of sin. Jesus is the Great Physician and grace is the medicine. Daily, those of us who seek the Great Physician, go to the hospital and take the medicine are being restored to the image in which we were created - we are being conformed into His image.
Our wounds are being healed.
How great is that!
Snape is good. He was created good. Lily saw that good in him. Sadly, evil (jealousy of James) won at that point. But I think you can see him fighting the evil in his attempt to be restored to his proper position.
The only thing that goes on after death is love. Love abides forever. Snape must still know that he was loved, by Dumbledore, and even Lily, although not the complete love he desired. It is that love that drives him to help Harry; it is that love that is calling him to "repentance" and "good."
It is the love of Christ that calls to each of us both believer and non-believer. The question is, how will we answer the call?
And to think that people call these kiddie lit!
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