Snape's special title

[severin_szaltis]

No: HPFGUIDX 56172

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Gomes Moor" <clam at u...> wrote:
> Hi!
> 
> I'm delurking for a minute just to ask you: does anyone have any 
idea 
> about why Snape is the only member of Hogwarts' staff who is 
> called "master"?
> 
> Gomes Moor

Hello y'all

I'm de-lurking to reply.  I apologise if I'm repeating anything 
anyone else has said... 

In days gone by teachers in British schools were called `master;' 
French master, Latin master and so on.  This is still the case in 
many public schools and Hogwarts certainly appears to be modelled 
upon such schools.  

It should be noted that Snape is the Potion master (small m), not a 
Potion Master (capital M).  In the books except where it is used as 
part of a chapter heading, it is written as `master.'  He may of 
course be a Master craftsman as well as a teacher, but he is referred 
to in the manner of a teacher - Potion master.

Whilst it's true that none of the other teachers are referred to in 
this slightly antiquated way (except Dumbledore who retains the old 
title of Headmaster and not as is becoming increasingly common, Head 
teacher) I think the reason for this is more to help with Snape's 
image and characterisation than with anything else.  I think that 
Rowling uses it as a device to set Snape apart from `the crowd.'  
There is something just that little bit more sinister, that little 
bit more severe about the title `master' than `teacher' especially 
when he is the only member of staff referred to as such.  I don't 
believe there is any deeper meaning than this.  Besides, I can almost 
see Snape insisting upon being called `master!'   

SS ~;o)