The Rise Of Snape Hate: Marauders' Rebranding And Snape's Villainization (Part 1)

The Rise of Snape Hate: Marauders' Rebranding and Snape's Villainization (Part 1)

I often hear people wonder why Severus Snape has become more hated in recent years, to the extent that even Voldemort faces less criticism and vitriol from fans. In the early days of the book’s release and even long after the final Harry Potter film was screened, the "Marauders" fandom hardly existed. James Potter was seen as a background character, best known as Harry's father, and did not play an important role among fans. Sirius and Lupin were mostly regarded as Harry's mentors, and their time as Marauders during their teenage years wasn't a focal point of fan attention. In the Canon, the Marauders didn’t hold much significance either, there were few details about them. They were mentioned in just a handful of small flashbacks, mainly depicting bullying, and their friendships were portrayed as rather toxic and disappointing. Naturally, these flashbacks were not only unappealing but could also be disheartening for readers. However, a new generation of fans wanted to bring something new to the Harry Potter universe that better matched their fantasies and imaginations (especially after the failure of "The Cursed Child" and the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling). As a result, a new story emerged: "Harry Potter and the World of the Marauders," inspired by Generation Z's fantasies.

They were given the attractive looks of actors like Ben Barnes, Timothée Chalamet, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and were morally very different from their canon versions. They became a group of charming, wealthy, and popular school heroes with dynamic, platonic, and romantic relationships that captivated fans. Since there weren't many details about them in the original books, fans freely created tragic backstories and fascinating dramas (for example, the Black family using a "Cruciatus curse" on their children!!!). These factors quickly increased their popularity and caught the attention of content creators on the internet.

But what happened to Severus Snape?

These newly reimagined, charming, and beloved Marauders needed an antagonist to heighten the school drama and make their adventures more exciting. Who better to fill this role than Severus Snape—broken, lonely, and completely different from them, with none of the looks, wealth, or popularity?

"The more they improved the Marauders to make them more likable, the more they vilified and distorted Snape to make him easier to hate."

It's clear that when Snape is portrayed as a powerful, dark, and evil wizard (even at the age of 11), James Potter and Sirius Black are turned into justice-seeking heroes, making all their bullying and cruelty towards Snape seem justified and even heroic.

Now, ask yourself: Is it easier to like the James Potter from the books—Arrogant and a bully—or the James Potter who is handsome and kind, punishing an evil villain worse than Voldemort named Severus Snape to save other students and his girlfriend? This is how the Marauders became charming and popular heroes, and Snape became a evil.

Many fans don’t even know Snape. From the moment they enter the Marauders fandom, they learn that they must hate Snape, and this trend continues. They only read the books with the intent of magnifying Snape's flaws, which is why his faults are highlighted even more than Voldemort's, and wherever Snape’s name is mentioned, they feel obligated to display their blind hatred to prove their loyalty to the ideals of their beloved Marauders.

Blaming Snape for creating Sectumsempra is like blaming a woman for carrying pepper spray in her bag for self-defense after being repeatedly harassed by a specific group of men. Can you really blame a victim for creating a weapon to protect themselves against their tormentors, while at the same time praising the Marauders' ingenuity for creating tools to spy on, stalk, and invade others' privacy purely for fun and bullying?

What kind of ridiculous logic is that?!

because of the thing you can’t understand.

It was love, something Voldemort could never understand. It was Snape's love for Lily. That was the whole story.

Snape’s love for Lily was so pure and beautiful that it saved the lives of thousands of wizards. His love protected the wizarding world during both the First and Second Wars. It was Snape’s love that ultimately defeated the greatest dark wizard of all time—not once, but twice. Because of his love, future generations of wizarding children will grow up in peace and safety. The wizarding world owes its life to Snape's love.

I am wondering Who else but Voldemort still fails to grasp the truth and beauty of this love? Who still cannot understand that this love saved the lives of countless souls? Who still cannot see that without his love, the world of magic would have crumbled into Destruction and darkness ?

‘Severus Snape wasn’t yours,’ said Harry. ‘Snape was Dumbledore’s. Dumbledore’s from the moment you started hunting down my mother. And you never realized it, because of the thing you can’t understand.’

- One of the most powerful moments in the entire series. That’s all I have to say.

"But we're going!" he said, unable to suppress the exhilaration in his voice. "This is it! We're off to Hogwarts!"

— F.T.

Unfair Comparisons (part 2)

Severus Snape: Exists. Marauders' fandom: He is the greatest child abuser in wizarding history; no wonder he was a criminal since he was eleven because He tried to kill Petunia Evans just because she was a Muggle (he dropped a branch on her head). As a student, he tormented other students with dark magic. He joined Voldemort to be able to torture more Muggles. He told Voldemort about the prophecy because he wanted James Potter and baby Harry dead so he could easily claim Lily Potter for himself. He was so obsessed with a dead woman that he even took advantage of her corpse and embraced her without her consent. He delayed Harry's message to the Order, causing Sirius Black to be killed.

Peter Pettigrew: Willingly betrayed the Potter family, leading to the death of his best friend and his wife, and orphaning Harry Potter. He murdered 12 innocent Muggles and Bertha Jorkins. He was the reason Sirius Black was wrongfully imprisoned in Azkaban for 12 years. He never felt remorse and did everything in his power to help Voldemort return to power. After Voldemort's return, he became one of his loyal followers again. He killed Cedric Diggory, a 17-year-old innocent boy, and took part in the torture of 14-year-old Harry Potter.

Marauders' fandom:

I didn’t want to start my day feeling sad, but then I saw this picture, and well… now I’m overwhelmed with emotions 💔