Most likely, the real prototype of Snape was the school chemistry teacher John Nettleship, nicknamed the Sting, from whom Rowling and her classmates have not the most pleasant memories [4]. When Nettleship learned that he was associated with the image of Snape, he was very upset. But later he stated:
Snape is horrible enough, but if my eccentric behavior in class has contributed to any of these wonderful books, it makes me very happy.
The name Severus was borrowed by Rowling from the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (Latin Lucius Septimius Severus), who rebuilt Hadrian's Wall near the English village of Snape in North Yorkshire. The name of this village became the name of the professor [8]. In addition, in the choice of the name and surname there is a play on words - the name is related to the English word "severe" (severe, cruel), and the surname has parallels with "snake" (snake) and "snap" (sharp, abrupt movement; angry remark; sudden cooling). Differences in the translation of the character's name into Russian by different translators are associated with attempts to preserve this play on words.
Most likely, the real prototype of Snape was the school chemistry teacher John Nettleship, nicknamed the Sting, from whom Rowling and her classmates have not the most pleasant memories [4]. When Nettleship learned that he was associated with the image of Snape, he was very upset. But later he stated:
Snape is horrible enough, but if my eccentric behavior in class has contributed to any of these wonderful books, it makes me very happy.
The name Severus was borrowed by Rowling from the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (Latin Lucius Septimius Severus), who rebuilt Hadrian's Wall near the English village of Snape in North Yorkshire. The name of this village became the name of the professor [8]. In addition, in the choice of the name and surname there is a play on words - the name is related to the English word "severe" (severe, cruel), and the surname has parallels with "snake" (snake) and "snap" (sharp, abrupt movement; angry remark; sudden cooling). Differences in the translation of the character's name into Russian by different translators are associated with attempts to preserve this play on words.