Harry Potter has a lot of mysteries, and the Half-Blood Prince is one of the biggest, but there are actually quite a few explanations behind the nickname. Between 1997 and 2007, English author J.K. Rowling released the Harry Potter books to critical acclaim, introducing the fascinating character of Severus Snape. A controversial figure in the fandom, the tragedy of his story’s end and of his sacrifice martyred him into one of the series’ biggest heroes. Despite this, not everyone understands why he called himself the Half-Blood Prince in the textbook discovered by Harry Potter.

Alan Rickman played Snape with striking originality in the Harry Potter movies, launched in 2001 and ending in 2011. Although he pᴀssed away in 2016, his legacy will live on and be deeply influenced by his portrayal of one of Harry Potter’s most complex characters. This character may have outshone the rest, alongside Harry and Draco, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Rowling’s sixth novel (2005) and the sixth Warner Bros. movie (2009). In particular, Severus Snape’s self-appointed nickname shone out as a point of intrigue, raising questions about Snape’s heritage and personality.

Snape Gave Himself The Half-Blood Prince Nickname

Severus Snape’s Self-Appointed Nickname Is Confusing

Severus Snape gave himself the Half-Blood Prince nickname, somewhat surprisingly, considering his prejudice against half-bloods. By the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, it was clear that Snape gave himself the cheeky nickname in the privacy of his own margins, without having any intention of other people seeing it. However, it was less clear where the name had sprung from. In the book and movie, Harry found a textbook that helped him ace his Potions class, much to Hermione Granger’s dismay. This was, of course, the textbook of the Half-Blood Prince.

It is understandable for Snape to keep his nickname to himself, given his atтιтude towards those of mixed magical heritage. But what is less understandable is why Snape would have given himself a nickname that he must have seen as self-deprecating to at least some extent. Snape’s self-deprecation in this regard points to a kind of humility and down-to-earth sense of humor rarely glimpsed in the books or movies – he must have been fun to be around sometimes. And also, more than a little self-loathing. This makes sense for Hogwarts’ famous professor.

The Half-Blood Prince Name Doesn’t Have Any Royal Connection

Snape’s Nickname Has Personal Connotations

Despite his superior atтιтude, Snape wasn’t actually royalty. But he was a Prince. The movies didn’t dive into it, but the Harry Potter TV show may get a chance to display more of Snape’s family history. Severus’ mother was called Eileen Snape after she married, but Eileen Prince before that. And she was a pure-blood witch. This explains Snape’s fascination with her and loyalty to her. It also explains his claiming of her surname in his private nickname, even though she married, and in doing so, technically lost this name.

What makes even more sense is that Severus Snape’s father was a Muggle and not very kind to him. The chip on Snape’s shoulder seems to stem from the emotional neglect of his father and the arguments frequently had between his father and mother. Snape resented his Muggle father, and this half of himself, along with him. Meanwhile, he idealized his mother, retreating into this half of his idenтιтy to become “the Half-Blood Prince.” As one of Harry Potter’s main characters, Snape is more than deserving of this deep complexity and characterization.

The Half-Blood Prince’s Spells Prove Snape Was Dangerous From An Early Age

Severus Snape Flouted Health And Safety At Hogwarts

Much can be surmised about Severus Snape from his textbook, including that he may have been a tragic hero, but he wasn’t necessarily nice. This is important to remember in ongoing conversations about the character, which can often turn into reflections of debates about bigger real-life issues. Harry Potter fans are pᴀssionate! Snape was an absolute hero in many ways, sacrificing his whole adult life to protect Harry. The life of a double agent is no easy life. Snape was isolated and lonely until his final breath, for the greater good.

The importance and heroism of this can’t be overstated. But in a way, Snape was sacrificing his adult life for Lily. He made that clear in his horrid treatment of Harry and his friends from day one. Snape was playing the part of a Death Eater well, but he didn’t have to be that mean. He bullied Harry because he resented Harry’s father, James, who won the heart of the woman he loved – Lily. That makes his ongoing obsession somewhere between beautiful and scary. And he was always dangerous, as the Sectumsempra curse indicates.

The Movie Doesn’t Do Enough With The Half-Blood Prince Reveal

The Books Went Into More Detail On Severus Snape

The Harry Potter movies made less of the Half-Blood Prince reveal than the books, and could have made it even more surprising. In the books, Snape found himself challenged by Harry’s jibes, fired towards Snape along with a series of spells. This duel was one of the most thrilling that the entire series had seen, and part of that was the sheer emotion of Snape’s response to Harry. Part of Snape’s characterization was his coldness and repressed emotions, manifesting as cynicism and sarcasm. But when Harry tried to use Sectumsempra on Snape, he broke.

Snape’s voice and face contorting in all the repressed rage of his life as a double agent. It was sad to see that directed against the object of his care and protection in a performance to convince the Death Eaters of his loyalty. But it was not just performative, it was a glimpse of his real pain. This tortured and misguided man, who many in real life would label as incredibly problematic, did not get the same treatment in the movies. The direction was for Snape to remain controlled. Regardless, Harry Potter hit on a winner with this antihero.