[HPforGrownups] Hero types was Re: Another Snape thread/ Snape as hero

[Kemper]

No: HPFGUIDX 152055

On 5/9/06, horridporrid03 <horridporrid03 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > >>Carol:
>
> > I would classify Snape (assuming that he's DDM!) as a Byronic hero.
> > Here's a partial definition of the term from
>
> http://www.umd.umich.edu/casl/hum/eng/classes/434/charweb/CHARACTE.ht
> m  :
>
> > <major snip of quotes, keeping just this tiny part>
>
> > "He also has emotional and intellectual capacities, which are
> >  superior to the average man."
> > <snip>
>
> > Obviously, the definition doesn't fit perfectly (especially his
> > "emotional capacity")...
> > <snip>
>
> Betsy Hp:
> Okay, I'll bite. <g>  Why do you "especially" think Snape doesn't
> have superior emotional capacities?  How are you defining that
> phrase?  I take it as someone who feels things deeply, and maybe
> also someone who has a strong sense of what other people are
> feeling.  I think Snape has shown himself to be a man of great
> feeling.  And I think we've seen him demonstrate a pretty keen sense
> of how others are feeling too.  True, it's not often expressed in a
> *positive* way.  But the definition doesn't refer only to positive
> expression.
>
> > >>Carol:
>
> > I would add that Snape's mystique and his dark hair and eyes
> > resemble those of the best-known Byronic heroes, Rochester and
> > Heathcliff, and his black robes trailing behind him as he sweeps
> > from a room, his frequently "unfathomable" expressions, even his
> > dark hair and eyes--suggest a gothic element often associated with
> > Byronic heroes...
> > <snip>
>
> Betsy Hp:
> Snape certainly has elements of the Byronic hero.  Especially when
> his passion gets away from him.  However, there's also the element
> of reason to Snape.  He's not just a man of passion (Byron, etc.)
> he's also a man of logic and science.  There's an element of
> Sherlock Holmes to Snape.  (Ooh, there was an excellent post a while
> back showing how very similar those two characters are.  Do I dare
> go searching for it? Yes, I do.  Here it is:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/130772 )
>
> And, as I mentioned earlier in this post, I really see Snape
> operating under a very strict personal moral code.  One that
> Dumbledore knows and approves of.  Hence the trust.
>
> Upthread I spoke of the "Romantic Hero" as it pertained to Snape.
> And there were elements of the anti-hero to that definition as
> well.  My main problem with the anti-hero is that often that sort of
> hero is more passive in his involvement in the fight against evil.
> The anti-hero fights almost in spite of himself.  Whereas Snape,
> IMO, is actively and with full understanding of his actions fighting
> against evil with everything he has.
>
> Betsy Hp (wondering what sort of hero Sherlock Holmes would be
> classified as)
>


Kemper now:
I thought your romantic hero pertained to Ron which I thought was perfect.
I'll have to re-read it...

I can see where some anti-hero's fight the fight in spite of them selves:
Han Solo.  But there are various types of anti-heros.  V and Wolverine seem
in choice and fully rage in the fight against evil which isn't to say they
fight for the Light which is what Harry and DD fight for.  That being said,
some anti-heros are for the Dark, sort of (?): Faust and Lucifer.

... I tried to get Snape to fall under a Randian Hero but can't get past the
emotional restraint nor the handsomeness pre-req.  Though I suppose it could
be said that Snape's handsomeness doesn't need to be physical, but that's
weak.

-Kemper


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