Is Snape good or evil?

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 148581

> Eggplant:
> > > 3) Snape killed Dumbledore but did so on Dumbledore's orders. 
> (very difficult to find a viable reason Dumbledore would order 
such 
> a thing and even if he did Snape would still be evil, at least in 
my 
> book)
> > 
> 
> Dungrollin:
> 
> Depends what your assumptions are. If you think that 
> 
> a) Voldemort *had* told Snape about Draco's task (canon, unless 
> Snape was lying)
> b) Snape and DD discussed Draco's task before Bella and Cissy's 
> visit (perfectly plausible, given that DD knew about it on the 
tower)
> c) The last clause of the Unbreakable Vow was a complete surprise 
to 
> Snape; he was snookered and had to accept (the twitch)
> d) He immediately told DD what had happened (DD was not surprised 
> about the UV when Harry told him)
> 
> then it beggars belief to imagine that Dumbledore would have told 
> Snape that he'd been stupid enough to make the vow, and he and 
Draco 
> would have to die with the consequences. 
> 
> If you think that DD ordering Snape to help foil Draco's plan, 
save 
> Dumbledore's life, and then die when the vow kicked in, abandoning 
> Draco to be killed by Voldy, is consistent with Dumbledore's 
> character as we've seen it, then I'm at a loss. Quite apart from 
the 
> fact that DD is a little less selfish and a little more noble than 
> that, it would be just the sort of order that could turn a bitter 
> and resentful ex-Death Eater into a full-blown loyal servant of 
the 
> Dark Lord. Hardly tactful or prudent.
> 
> When posters complain that they don't understand how Dumbledore 
> could ever have asked Snape to tear his soul by killing him, I 
> wonder what other choice Dumbledore could have possibly have made 
> that would have satisfied them while still staying in character. 
> 
> Sorry – I'm obsessed with rotten choices at the moment...


Alla:

Yes, it is depends on what our assumptions are, doesn't it? I still 
do not see any evidence of Snape informing Dumbledore about third 
clause of the UV. I mean, he could have done that, sure, but correct 
me if I am wrong, you seem to agree that Snape WAS stupid to take 
the Vow, because of the third clause, no? I apologise if I am 
reading you incorrectly, but if I am reading you correctly and Snape 
is at that moment either wavering or loyal to DD, when Snape EVER 
admits in canon that he is wrong about something?

Keep in mind that I am NOT talking about Evil Snape right now, I am 
talking about Stupid!Snape ( I know, it is hard to imagine, but try 
just for the sake of the argument :-)), Snape under influence of 
DADA curse, whatever.

Snape admitting to Dumbledore that he was outplayed by Narcissa and 
Bella? Sorry don't see it at all. IMO of course.

And of course if Dumbledore only knew that Snape has to protect 
Draco, but not to do the deed himself, I can see Dumbledore to go 
along with it. But if Dumbledore knew about third clause, I am not 
so sure. Dumbledore has a dangerous road of Horcruxes hunting in 
front of himself and Harry. Are you saying that he would be SO 
confident to leave Harry to it and just easily die to save Snape? I 
am just asking to clarify, I am not sure if that is what you are 
saying.

I mean, if you argue Superspy!Snape, then I guess I can see your 
POV, but I am still under impression that Dumbledore would have been 
more helpful to the cause as alive than dead.

Having said all that, I wonder about your take on whether Snape was 
lying or telling the truth in general in Spinner's End. If you argue 
that Voldemort told Snape about Draco's task is true, doesn't it 
strengthen ESE!Snape argument? He knows what Draco task is and STILL 
takes the Vow? I mean, Okay you argue that third clause was a 
surprise, but still - agreeing to protect Draco while little shmuck 
tries to kill Headmaster, isn't it a bit too close to being 
accessory?

I mean, I will be VERY happy to learn that everything that Snape 
said in Spinner's End was true, but that would mean that blood of 
Emmeline Vance and Sirius is on his hands.

The only way out I see for DD!M(sort of)Snape is for him not to know 
about the task and then take the UV because of his affection for 
Draco, DADA curse, etc. THEN Snape in my mind has some road to 
redemption. That is IMO of course. But Snape knowing that Draco's 
task is the Headmaster's assasination and agreeing to protect Draco, 
I can only see him as evil. 

JMO,

Alla