J.K. Rowling defends decision to have Harry Potter name son after Snape

J.K. Rowling took to Twitter this morning to defend the controversial decision to have Harry Potter name partly name his son after the mostly antagonistic character of Severus Snape.

'Snape deserves both admiration and disapprobation, like most of us,' British author tweets

CBC News Posted: Nov 27, 2015 10:38 AM EST | Last Updated: November 27, 2015

Severus Snape, portrayed by Alan Rickman in the Harry Potter films, is neither good nor evil, but "all grey," says author J.K. Rowling. (Warner Brothers/Associated Press)

British authorJ.K. Rowling took to Twitter thismorning to defend hercontroversial decision to have Harry Potter namehis son after the widely reviled character ofSeverus Snape.

The series of tweets, which Rowlinginsists were "not a rant,"allstarted with a question from a fan.

Snape died for Harry out of love for Lily. Harry paid him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude. https://t.co/MPXBgUApa3
—@jk_rowling

In the epilogue of the fantasy series' final book,a grown-up Harry Potter tells his sonAlbus Severus Potter that he was named aftertwo headmasters at theHogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

WhileAlbusDumbledore's character is largely beloved and heroic,Severus Snape mostlyacts as a foil and antagonist to Potter and his friends throughout the series.

But in the end spoiler alert Snapesacrifices himself for the greater good.

Young Potter's namehas always been a sticking point among fans, who are divided about whether Snapeis a hero or a villain.

I've got to say this: you lot have been arguing about Snape for years. My timeline just exploded with love & fury yet again. Never change x
—@jk_rowling

The question and the ensuing "love &fury" from Potter fanson Twitterprompted Rowling to pen a series of tweets defending the decisionto honour Snape, whom she says is neither good nor evil.

That's not true, I'm afraid. Snape projected his hatred and jealousy of James onto Harry. https://t.co/5jzNHlfSe0
—@jk_rowling

There's a whole essay in why Harry gave his son Snape's name, but the decision goes to the heart of who Harry was, post-war.
—@jk_rowling

The discussion, she said, is an important one, given people'stendencyto oversimplify things in a complex world.

This morning I've been thinking a lot about the appeal of simple dichotomies in our messy world, then you raise Snape! Highly appropriate.
—@jk_rowling

Snape is all grey. You can't make him a saint: he was vindictive & bullying. You can't make him a devil: he died to save the wizarding world
—@jk_rowling

In honouring Snape, Harry hoped in his heart that he too would be forgiven. The deaths at the Battle of Hogwarts would haunt Harry forever.
—@jk_rowling

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J.K. Rowling defends decision to have Harry Potter name son after Snape

'Snape deserves both admiration and disapprobation, like most of us,' British author tweets

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