Pfft! Snape never asked anyone to die for him. How many died for Harry Potter?
I’ve made many outrageous statements on these forms. I’ve played devils advocate, many times. And if that’s what you meant, then great. But if not… then it is hard to believe that this statement went unchallenged.
Did Harry ask anyone to die for him? It’s fairly well known, and remarked upon by Hermione and Ron and Arthur and Remus and Dumbledore, that Harry has a savior complex. He keeps trying to save people even when they don’t need it.
Throughout the series, Harry has bit of resentment and outright hatred for Snape. A few times in the series, especially in book 5, Harry is angry, and even hates Dumbledore. This is because neither tell Harry the truth. At the end of book 5, Dumbledore tells Harry about the prophecy. In book 6, Dumbledore finally tells Harry about the whore cruxes. All this adds up to a huge amount of frustration and psychological confusion for Harry. Upon hearing the prophecy, Harry begins to know that it is kill or be killed.
Sirius tells the Weasley children in book five that there are things worth dying for. Harry has to reach the point where he is willing to die. He has to reach the point where he’s willing to let other people take their stand and die as well. The goal, the only thing that matters, is the demise of Voldemort. James, Lily, Sirius, Moody, Dumbledore, Scrimgeour, Fred, Remus, Tonks, the Creevey brothers, and Snape, all willingly died while fighting Voldemort. Harry didn’t ask any of them to do it.
They stand in stark contrast to Peter Pettigrew. And to those who turned a blind guy to Voldemort’s reign of terror… The Dursley’s, Slughorn, Skeeter, Umbridge, Fudge, and Percy.
All the Malfoy’s and Karkaroff, and some other death eaters were terrified of Voldemort, but did not repent, or turn against him. Only Snape and Regulus Black had the courage to act on their convictions. And they both paid the ultimate price for it.
I think Harry had to grow up and get to the point to allow others to freedom to die for their convictions. He did show the battle of Hogwarts. Instead of running around and saving everybody, he focused on the demise of Voldemort. He had found out that Dumbledore Had to be come with that hard hearted about Harry himself. That Dumbledore had to sacrifice Harry in order to ensure the downfall of Voldemort. I find it sad that Harry had to come to the same conclusion, and perhaps let many of his friends die, but I don’t think he asked them to do it. I think they made the decision for themselves.
It’s also probably easier for me to pontificate regarding Harry Potter since I read the books again last year. It might’ve been 10 years since you’ve read them, Brian.