Severus Snape: A Misunderstood Character in the Harry Potter Series
Severus Snape is often accused of being overly obsessed with Lily Potter, but two details in his story hint that he is judged somewhat unfairly. While it is true that Snape treated Harry terribly throughout the series due to his own emotional immaturity, claims that Snape was a stalker might be taking things a bit too far. He was a Death Eater who maintained a love for his childhood friend, but evidence indicates that Snape had accepted that he and Lily were on two different paths.
One detail that suggests Snape was not obsessed with Lily is that he never gave her a love potion. As a potions prodigy, brewing a love potion and slipping it to Lily would have been easy enough to pull off, but there is no indication in the series that such a thing ever crossed his mind. This has thematic value within the Harry Potter series, as it highlights Snape’s own kept boundary and distinguishes him from Merope Gaunt, who used a love potion to get the man she was obsessed with to marry her.
Another detail that suggests Snape was not obsessed with Lily is that he didn’t know Trelawney’s prophecy could connect to Lily’s son. After the duo ended their friendship at the end of their fifth year, Snape and Lily completed their remaining two years at Hogwarts and entered the wizarding world as adults. Snape became a Death Eater, and Lily married James Potter, had a son, and joined the Order of the Phoenix. It’s often assumed that Snape kept tabs on Lily’s life and family, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
In conclusion, while Snape’s behavior may have been questionable at times, the evidence suggests that he was not obsessed with Lily and was not a stalker. His love for Lily was a deep and abiding one, but it was a love that he accepted was not reciprocated.