What's in it for Snape? Finding motive...

[mnaper2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 97154

Vmonte wrote:
> You learn that Snape was an unhappy child, and that he was a victim 
> of James's gang -- repeatedly.  You also hear Snape tell Harry: 
> "Fools who wear their hearts proudly on their sleeves, who cannot 
> control their emotions, who wallow in sad memories and allow 
> themselves to be provoked so easily - weak people in other words - 
> they stand no chance against his powers!  He will penetrate your 
mind 
> with absurd ease, Potter!" (OOTP)
> 
> It seems to me that Snape is the one who wallows in his sad 
memories -
> - why else would he remove them from his mind before teaching 
Harry? 
> And did he have control over his emotions when he realized that 
Harry 
> saw them? I think that the: "Fools who wear their hearts proudly on 
> their sleeves" quote, is what happened to Snape. I think that 
> Voldemort, realized what Snape's weaknesses were, and used them 
> against him. He lured Snape into being a DE. 

Ally:
I agree that this is exactly what happened.  Snape was a person - and 
really still is - to wear his heart on his sleeve.  He is basically 
talking about his younger self when he talks about people being 
vulnerable to Voldie by wallowing in sad memories, wearing their 
hearts on their sleeves, etc.
 
Vmonte wrote:
> We know by cannon that Snape is a racist! He calls Lily a nasty 
name 
> in the penseive memory.  He would rather be hung upside down before 
> allowing a mudblood come to his defense. 

Ally:
He used the name, but that's the ONLY canon evidence of Snape being a 
racist, and that was something said in a moment of stress and 
humiliation.  I, for one, am not ready to call Snape a racist based 
on that comment alone.

Vmonte wrote:
> Here is my problem with Snape.  I find it hard to believe that 
> knowing what we know about him that he is working for either 
> Voldemort or DD.  He seems to have contempt for both sides.  He 
also 
> craves recognition (obvious when you read PoA). 
> 

Ally:

Well, I agree that it's difficult to tell anything at this point.  
The problem is, we don't know his "story" yet.  Until we know WHY 
Snape turned to DD, I don't think we can really evaluate his motives.
Everything at this point is still speculation.

I think he could end up playing both sides, but tend to doubt it, 
cause I just can't imagine a scenario involving that conclusion that 
would work thematically and narratively.  Not to say it isn't out 
there, but none come easily to mind for me.

Overall, my bet at this point will be that he ends up on the Order's 
side but will remain his nasty git self regardless.  I think, as you 
suggested, that Voldie manipulated him and betrayed his trust.  That 
tirade during occlumency, if it is Snape talking about Snape, shows a 
lot of anger and self-loathing.  Being betrayed by Voldie in such a 
way would be way more humiliating and devastating than anything the 
Marauders ever did, so I think that for Snape, it's not about right 
or wrong.  I think it's about getting pure, sweet revenge on Voldie 
for lying to him.