[HPforGrownups] Re: Snapers vs. Sirists; Canon Snape

[Margaret Dean]

No: HPFGUIDX 34674

cindysphynx wrote:

> Brilliant and Talented -- I see no basis in canon for this at all.
> Snape out-duels Lockhart-the-Fraud.  You have to admit he is out-
> smarted by Moody (twice in GoF) and Hermione and the trio (once in
> the Shrieking Shack).  He gets his leg mangled in PS/SS.  He doesn't
> ward off the dementor in GoF.  How do we know that Snape isn't just a
> middling potion-brewer?  We do know that he is far from a brilliant
> teacher, however.  I'd substitute "Nosy and Mean" for "Brilliant and
> Talented." :-)  What in canon am I missing?

You're missing the statements that Lupin makes about the
Wolfsbane Potion, e.g. that it's very complex (certainly beyond
his own talents in the field) and that "not many wizards are up
to making it."  He then goes on to say that he's very lucky to be
working with Professor Snape, who is.

I think that whatever else you may say about Snape, we are meant
to understand that he =is= exceptionally skilled in his own
field, i.e., Potions.  This doesn't necessarily mean he's
exceptionally skilled at =teaching= it, of course -- that's a
different skill set!


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>