Professor Snape Character Analysis in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The potions master; he loathes Harry in particular and Gryffindor students in general. He's also the head of Slytherin House. Snape is especially cruel to Neville, his least favorite student, and spends much of the year threatening to poison Harry under the pretense of testing Harry's skill at brewing antidotes. Harry notices that Snape appears afraid of Moody and witnesses several instances throughout the year of Snape speaking with Karkaroff, sometimes on a first-name basis, about something growing clearer on his left arm. During Harry's trip into Dumbledore's Pensieve, he discovers that Snape was once a Death Eater and he later learns that Voldemort's Dark Mark is on Snape's left arm. However, Snape supposedly became a spy for Dumbledore, and Dumbledore makes it clear to Harry that he trusts Snape entirely. Harry struggles to believe this as Snape tries to accuse Harry on several occasions of putting his name in the Goblet of Fire and of breaking rules. Despite all of this, Snape does seem to be on Dumbledore's side when Voldemort returns and even shows Fudge his Dark Mark as proof that Voldemort has returned. When he learns that Sirius is allied with Dumbledore, Snape is livid but shakes hands with Sirius as Dumbledore requests.

Professor Snape Character Timeline in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The timeline below shows where the character Professor Snape appears in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Reading, Critical Thinking, and Truth Theme Icon

Good, Evil, Power, and Choice Theme Icon

...this, Moody turns Malfoy back into a human. He angrily says that he'll speak to Snape about Malfoy's behavior. Ron deems this the best moment of his life. Hermione again eats... (full context)

History, Community, and Coming of Age Theme Icon

In Potions the next day, Neville melts his sixth cauldron and Snape gives him detention for it. Ron and Harry know that Snape is so vindictive because... (full context)

...is aghast, as they don't take their O.W.L.s until the end of their fifth year. Snape assigns work on antidotes and hints that he's going to poison a student soon to... (full context)

...can greet the guests from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. Harry is thrilled, as this means that Snape won't be able to poison them. They hear a Hufflepuff student running off to tell... (full context)

Dumbledore, Mr. Crouch, Madame Maxime, Karkaroff, Snape, and McGonagall interrupt Bagman as they enter the room. Madame Maxime and Karkaroff are furious,... (full context)

Snape arrives and listens to Malfoy accuse Harry of attacking him. He sends Goyle to the... (full context)

...briskly points out an owl for Harry and tells him about their detention arrangements with Snape. The letter is from Sirius and asks Harry to be alone by the fireplace late... (full context)

...week of term is boisterous and wild. Several teachers let the students play games, but Snape announces a test on antidotes on the final day of term. As Ron builds a... (full context)

...whole and after a minute, Ron pokes Harry. They step outside where, curiously, they hear Snape and Karkaroff using each other's first names and talking about something that's getting clearer. A... (full context)

...and checks the Marauder's Map. Harry notices that a dot labeled "Bartemius Crouch" is in Snape's office and wonders why Mr. Crouch is at Hogwarts now. Curious, Harry decides to investigate.... (full context)

Harry hopes that Filch will go investigate Snape's office, but Moody arrives. Harry realizes with a jolt that Moody can see him and... (full context)

...out of the staircase. When Moody asks, Harry says that he saw Mr. Crouch in Snape's office. This seems to mean something to Moody, so Harry asks why Mr. Crouch would... (full context)

...class practices Banishing Charms in Charms the next day, Harry tells Ron and Hermione about Snape, Moody, and his trip to the bathroom. Ron thinks that Snape put Harry's name in... (full context)

...them. Pansy Parkinson throws her copy of the magazine Witch Weekly at Hermione and while Snape isn't paying attention, she finds an article titled "Harry Potter's Secret Heartache." In it, Rita... (full context)

...Hermione accepted the invitation than with wondering how Rita Skeeter obtained this information. Noticing this, Snape takes points from Gryffindor, confiscates Witch Weekly, and much to their horror, reads the article... (full context)

Karkaroff lets himself into Snape's classroom and tells Snape that they need to talk. Snape insists they can speak after... (full context)

...obsessed with catching Dark wizards. Ron insists that this is why Mr. Crouch snuck into Snape's office, but Sirius says this doesn't make sense--Crouch has a ready-made cover to spy on... (full context)

Hermione and Ron argue about whether or not they can trust Snape. Sirius says that he's unsure why Dumbledore trusts Snape, as all of Snape's friends at... (full context)

...but it's apparently no longer the password. Harry starts running to the staff room, but Snape catches him. Harry tries to tell Snape what's going on, but Snape refuses to help... (full context)

...Ron is concerned that Mr. Crouch was talking about Voldemort getting stronger. Ron suggests that Snape held Harry up on purpose and they decide to ask Moody if he saw Mr.... (full context)

...several names. Crouch says that they've already caught all but one, but then, Karkaroff names Snape. At this, Dumbledore stands and says that Snape was a Death Eater, but turned spy... (full context)

...draws away what looks like a silvery hair. He drops it into the Pensive and Snape appears, saying that "it" is coming back. Dumbledore prods the thoughts again and a scowling... (full context)

...if this means that Barty Crouch might be innocent. He also asks about Bagman and Snape, and Dumbledore says that neither is a Death Eater. As Harry leaves, Dumbledore asks him... (full context)

...and Sirius except for what he learned about Neville. Ron is incredulous that Dumbledore trusts Snape. Hermione says that this is what Rita Skeeter and Winky were talking about in reference... (full context)

As Moody says that he's going to kill Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall blast open the door and Stun Moody. Looking at Dumbledore, Harry understands why... (full context)

Snape and McGonagall return and Winky throws herself at Barty. Dumbledore administers the Veritaserum to Barty,... (full context)

Dumbledore binds Barty Crouch, leaves McGonagall in charge of him, and asks Snape to fetch Madam Pomfrey and Fudge. He then leads Harry to his office. There, Sirius... (full context)

...that Fudge shouldn't have brought "it" inside as they burst into the wing, accompanied by Snape. Dumbledore appears and McGonagall shrieks that Fudge brought a dementor with him, and the dementor... (full context)

Fudge says once more that Voldemort can't be back and recoils when Snape shows Fudge the Dark Mark on his arm. Snape explains how the Mark works: when... (full context)

...With them gone, he asks Sirius to take his human form. Mrs. Weasley screams, while Snape looks furious. Dumbledore sternly asks Snape and Sirius to shake hands, as they're on the... (full context)

...the staff table. Madame Maxime sits with Hagrid and Karkaroff is absent. Harry wonders what Snape did for Dumbledore and wonders if Snape is really on his side. Dumbledore interrupts Harry's... (full context)