Why is Snape so ticked off to be called a coward?

[malfoy_is_good1719]

We all know that no one wants to be called a coward, much less Snape, and little less from your worst enemies son. But does anyone think there was something more about why Snape freaked out when Harry called him a coward? Maybe James had called Snape that.

Or maybe Snape was mad because of another reason? Just a thought. This was really bugging me.

[Asphodel]

I think Snape really is a coward, and is sensitive about being called that.

[Mistress Siana]

Or possibly he didn't want to kill DD and had just done the bravest thing in his life. I really think there's at least one more thread about that topic...

[Asphodel]

Maybe he did something tremendously brave one time in his life, and so is sensitive about being called a coward.

[Chimera]

Maybe it's a childhood thing. Maybe kids in the playground used to call him a coward and it stuck with him.

[uggy]

I snape was good
and was told by dumbledore to kill him,
then he would get really annoyed when he called him a coward.

Because he did what DD wanted him to do even though he didnt want to.

[Lone_Buck]

Maybe it was his general childhood. We've seen his parents fight, and know that he had very few, if any friends. He's been alone the majority of his life, at least so it seems.

Maybe he was a considers himself a coward for his years as a death eater, and for telling voldemort the prophecy.

[Molly_burton]

I still think he is good.

If you look at JK Rowling's history of twisting us around her fingers at her will, you'll see that no matter how improbable something is, JK will be the one to pull it off.

I think that Dumbledore realised how important Harry and the greater good of the Oder was. What would they be without Snape passing them information? They need him. I think Dumbledore just knew that Snape needed to kill him in order to keep his cover.

Come on guys, it's entirely plausible.

[SunsetG|rl]

What do you mean coward? I do think he is brave enough... If he is really good, turning the whole wizarding comunity against you is a brave thing you can do... And if he is on the bad side... killing Dumbledore is again a big deal. Think that not even LV managed it.

Do you have some examples on why he's supposed to be a coward... I just don't manage to see him like that.

[malfoy_is_good1719]

No, I was asking why Snape was so mad when Harry called him a coward. I think that Snape is pretty brave, turing spy for Dumbledore, (or against Dumbledore, if some of us think Snape is truly on the Dark side...)

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

It sounded to me as though Snape thought Harry had no right to call him a coward because he'd done something worthy of not being called one.

[darkcloak]

Yes, as others have said there are two ways of looking at this depending on your opinion of Snape's motives.

Either Snape is on Voldemort's side and has been undercover having to live the life of a double-agent for the last 16 years, with people he despises and has finally achieved his goals: hence he think's of himself of a hero (all be it an evil one).

Or Snape is 'good' and has played his most courageous card yet by killing the only person who ever showed him kindness and understanding, the only person who truly trusted him. He had too look into his eyes and kill Dumbledore, knowing that after doing so he would be hunted down by the very people that he was trying to save and therefore would never find a peaceful life again, whoever wins the war.

I think the second one is stronger and explains better his confrontation with Harry at the end.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

I do agree. I think I'd much prefer it if in the end we saw Snape for himself. I would find it much less satisfying if we found out he was truly working for Voldemort.

And I think it's too premature to be true.

[annachie]

Perhaps Snape was affraid that Kenny Rogers would sing a song about him?

[carsten]

We all know that no one wants to be called a coward, ... This was really bugging me.

Yeah, this IMHO is the most important point in the HBP book concerning the overall story, which is about the rise and fall of LV.

Snape is of his own faction. He must have strong motifs for spying both sides. I expect to learn more about that in the last book, now that Snape has become such an important story mover. I guess LV has done some personal harm to him or his family. Maybe his muggle fafther Tobias died at Godric's Hollow, too? That could explain both Snape's hatred for Harry and his secret work against LV.

When LV became strong again, Snape was disappointed about his own role and Harry's weakness compared to LV. Probably he IS a coward when it comes to facing LV directly. That sparked his anger when he was called one. In addition he knows he can't kill LV because he likely knows the full prophecy, but the spying helped him to handle the situation for a while.

Now the situation has escalated. Maybe DD asked him in the conversation Hargrid eavesdropped, to continue his mission even in such a case.

Just my thoughts!