Things You Didn’t Know About Severus Snape

Severus Snape is perhaps one of the most memorable Harry Potter characters. He portrays a villain for most of the series and eventually turns sides when he helps save Harry from Voldemort

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then you’re probably well aware of the iconic wizard Severus Snape. According to Scholarship Institute, he’s the favorite character in a handful of states, including North Dakota and South Carolina. Often dubbed an “antihero,” Snape has a lot of unique characteristics that you don’t often see when you first watch the movies or read the books. Even the most loyal Harry Potter fans are surprised to find out all the interesting facts about Severus Snape.

Who is Severus Snape?

Severus Snape is a professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter Franchise. The talented wizard appears in the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and dies in the final book – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Severus Snape also goes by “Snivuellus” and has a somewhat authoritarian personality that evolves throughout the series. The character is famous for his long black hair, pale skin, and dark side.

 

Who Plays Severus Snape?

Alan Rickman – a native of London, England – played Severus Snape in all Harry Potter films. Rickman sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer on January 14^th, 2016.

 

Interesting facts about Severus Snape

There’s a lot more complexity to Severus Snape than the average reader might realize. Be it his name or his backstory, J.K. Rowling put a lot of careful thought into this iconic “antihero.”

Here’s a look at some unique things you didn’t know about Severus Snape.

Alan Rickman’s Role in the Movie

Many people don’t realize the legendary actor Alan Rickman almost didn’t take the Severus Snape role in the Harry Potter franchise. In fact, Tim Roth landed the role before Rickman, but Roth decided to star in “Planet of the Apes” instead.

The Latin Meaning of Severus Snape

There are various small Severus Snape facts you might have missed, including the name’s origin. The Latin meaning of Severus is “strict,” and the character’s surname – Snape – has roots in Suffolk, England. Harry Potter fans also speculate the last name also translates to “dishonor.”

Rowling’s Distaste for Chemistry

J.K. Rowling has made it clear that she hates chemistry. So, why did she have Snape teach the art of potion-making in the books? Because Rowling had such a distaste for chemistry, she figured Harry and the other characters would, too, ultimately helping to craft Snape’s character.

Differences in the Book vs. The Movie

If you compare the book and the movie, you’ll notice that Snape’s last words are different. In the book, Snape simply says, “look at me,” however, in the movie, he says, “you have your mother’s eyes.” J.K. Rowling hasn’t indicated why Snape mutters a different sentence in the film.

Growing Up Wasn’t Easy

Snape essentially grew up in the poor part of town, which is quite evident in the film. His hometown is Cokeworth, which resembles real-life towns in England. Could Severus Snape’s childhood have impacted his personality later on in life? Many fans would answer “yes.”

Lily Evans and Snape: How the Relationship Went South

J.K. Rowling wrote about Snape’s childhood in the Half-Blood Prince, where readers learn more about Snape’s relationship with a girl named Lily. The young girl tried to protect Snape when he was getting picked on, but instead of thanking her, Snape turned sides. After that incident, the two never had a strong bond again. Many fans think that Lily Evans could have been Snape’s first childhood love.

 

There are lots of things to love about this sarcastic and witty wizard! Whether you’re a diehard Harry Potter fan or not, there are many small Severus Snape facts you might have missed. The best way to pick up on the hints is to read the series or watch the films.