Snape's Rage at Being Called Coward : Brave Snape

[vivamus42]

No: HPFGUIDX 171875

At the risk of repeating something that I missed while not
participating, I have a theory I'd like to advance.

In the last days of waiting before DH comes out, I *finally* went back
and read HBP again.  Several things struck me, but one in particular
was Snape's almost incoherent rage when Harry called him a coward on
the grounds after DD's death.  I think this is a clue to Snape's whole
character, as well as his motivations in that entire sequence of events.

Before I get to the rage part, let me fill in a bit of background.

I still think Snape's primary motivation comes from a love he once had
for Lily Evans, and (whether requited or not) his worst memory was
when she ultimately rejected him ("Snivelous") and went off with James
(his worst enemy.)  He has always hated Harry, because Harry has
Lily's eyes in James' face.  Harry is a constant reminder of love lost.

As DD said in HBP, Snape had no idea his passing on to LV the half
prophecy he heard would result in LV setting his sights on killing the
Potters.  His realization of that was what motivated him to turn
traitor to LV and work for DD.  

This also ties in to why LV didn't want to kill Lily, as Snape had
made some kind of agreement with him.  She wouldn't get out of the
way, so too bad for Snape's agreement -- but that's just LV being himself.

Snape's motivation is therefore based not in love, but in guilt.  HE
caused Lily's death, in his own estimation.  He is therefore trying to
make up for it by saving the life of her son.  He cannot help but hate
Harry, but he is absolutely bound to save his life, as a way of making
up for Lily's death.  So he is simultaneously hating and tormenting
Harry and working to save his life.

Going back to the scene in HBP on the grounds, consider what SS had
just done:  He had killed DD, which meant that he would go down in WW
history as the greatest Judas of all time, and would be hated by all.
He was still planning to kill and/or betray LV to help Harry, which
meant that the DEs would all see him as the worst kind of traitor as
well.  Whichever side won, he would be at the top of their most-wanted
list.

He fully expects to die doing what he believes is right, damned
forever with no redemption by everyone on both sides, including Harry.
  It is probably the bravest act by any character in the entire
series, for he cannot even take comfort in being called a hero when he
dies. He is doing these things FOR Harry, and yet Harry himself calls
him a coward.  No wonder he is enraged.

JKR said a long time ago that SS was a "deeply horrible" person, or
something like that.  This fits it, and finally exposes a full set of
motivations for him, that fit everything we've seen him do so far.

So, what do you all think of "Brave Snape" as a theory?  

Vivamus