Everyone knows of Snapes longing for the D.A.D.A. job at Hogworts. Why do you think Snape would want to teach Defense against the Dark Arts knowing that every teacher before him lasted no more than one year? Please explain why you feel Snape would want the D.A.D.A. job and why he wanted it even though teaching it may mean that it would be the last thing he does at Hogworts.

I think he wants the D.A.D.A. job mainly because he knows so much about the Dark Arts that he'd be an excellent person to teach students how to defend themselves. But, I think that he realizes that most of the DADA professors left in a year of teaching due to unforseen cirmcumstances (Ex:Lockhart's memory being wiped out, Umbridge's inccident with the centaurs, etc.) Maybe he felt as though it was time for him to leave, I dunno maybe he felt as though he was supposed to stop teaching there and fight in the real world.

Dark Arts are all about power and ambition, both of which are a Slytherin prerequisite, not to mention that we tend to want that which we cannot have. Snape wanted DADA because he couldn't have it, and also because it's a position of prestige, which would both recognize his mastery of Dark Arts knowledge AND utilize his intimate experience for the betterment of others, thus satisfying some of the guilt he feels about having served the Dark Lord.

Great answers guys. I think he did want the D.A.D.A. job because he thought he would be best at it. Mabey Snape felt that he could handle any circumstances that came his way as far as only teaching for one year. Prehaps he felt there was no curse and the others before were not competant.

That's something I didn't think of. Yeah, I think that when he looked at the past DADA professors (such as Lockhart, Quirell, Umbridge, and Moody) he felt as though it was just ridiculous. Most weren't qualified, they were just doing Dumbledore a favor. There's no college in the wizarding world, no minimum requirement, so it enabled any graduated witch or wizard to teach, and he felt as though such an important class should have a competent teacher to enable the students learn. He probably felt as though, even if he had only a year to teach, he could teach something that the students could use after their time at Hogwarts was over and they were in the real world.

Another thought, when he took the position he might have only wanted to be around for a year because of the curse and because Voldermort was gone. He might've thought that if he was to lay low for a year, then leave and never be heard from again, then he wouldn't have to do a double agent role. Maybe he wanted that job for only a year, but Dumbledore gave him the Potions position (which would explain why he was always so angry in that class) in hopes to not only keep him in a fixed job, but also to keep an eye on him because he was a Death Eater, he probably knew what Snape wanted to do, and in turn kept him around. I dunno, it's just a theory.

I always thought Dumbledore wanted to keep him around also. He knew Snape really wanted the job, but denied him it, because he knew Snape was an important assest to him. At the time Snape has taken over the D.A.D.A. job, he really knew a lot about the inner workings of Hogworts and the Order. Snape was to valueble to let go. And when Voldemort came back, Dumbledore already had a trusted spy.

Snape being denied the job so many times was, no doubt, a very strong motivation. Sometimes when you can't have something, it makes you want it that much more. And I agree, he knew that the final showdown was coming and that he was going to be needed to play his part, so he wanted a position that he knew for sure was going to prove to be short term (whereas continuing to teach Potions obviously would not.) With all of Snape's skills, he was also superior to teach DADA to most candidates (the thought of Lockhart teaching this class is ridiculous, what a joke he was, Quirrell and Umbridge too, and of course we know what happened with Moody (besides the fact that he was paranoid)). It did seem that they were using the least qualified people to teach this class. But I think his constantly being denied was the strongest motivation.

Ok, here's my thoughts and please don't hate me for what I'm about to say. I have two views on this after re-reading HBP.

1: Snape is a good guy and wanted the DADA job to help his students prepare for the eventuality of the battle ahead. Sure he knew he wouldn't stay long, only a year, but maybe Dumbledore needed the best person with the best knowledge of DADA and Snape was it, even though he still has the Dark Mark upon his arm, he's showing everyone that he has changed by helping the good side. He's had many chances in the past to run off and tell Voldemort everything, but he choose to stay. Now, of course he could have done it by other means, but he felt guilty like some of you said and so he felt that by being close to the Dark Arts, he could protect the innocent. He may be vile towards Harry, but's he's toughening him up.

By teaching the non-verbal way of shouting spells, he was able to help the students be secretive in their own way. If Voldemort didn't know what spell they were about to cast, then there would be a good chance of stopping his DE's.

He was ordered to give the Vow to Narcissa through Dumbledore, who had a feeling his life would be ending soon. It was obvious Voldemort was after him after OoTP; and while I still think Dumbledore is alive, after re-reading HBP I'm beginning to think diffrently. Snape HAD to do what he did on orders from the Order, to give Harry the courage to go alone.


2: He's evil. Now before you boo me, here me out. There have been times in previous books where Snape had tried to help Harry, and in doing so had helped Voldemort know exactly what needed to be done. He wanted the DADA job to loosen the minds of their victims, and he did so by giving out tough homework and lessons and maybe using his Legimens ability.

By teaching non-verbal spells, he was able to give Voldemort the upper hand, we all know he's a skilled Legimens and Occulmens so it would be simple for him to block the spells and be victorious. He was tough on Harry because he knew Harry would hate him more.

Snape helped Draco by doing the Vow with his mother, therefore ensuring victory amongst the Order and the world. By doing this, he knew he would have to be the one to finish the job, Draco was too good at the moment, and didn't have the anger necessary to finish.

Ok, done now before I go into tiny detail about all the chapters of OoTP and HBP

Why would we hate you Health Nut? You just wrote what you thought about Snape. Thats what this forum is for, cool?
I did find find your theorys (Health Nut) to be very good. You brought up a lot of good points.
Personally, I think Snape is on the good side (a sad moment when I thought that). I also think he may be willing to be a myartar and give his life to prevent The Dark Lord from overthrowing the wizarding world. But we'll see what happens.
I like the points that Snape took the D.A.D.A job in order to really teach about the dark arts. I mean, who can be more qualifed than Snape to show students how it really is going up against a dark wizard?
And also, him taking the D.A.D.A. job knowing that he will leave is perfect to get back into the Deatheaters as a spy for the Order. Snape could have easily killed Potter in the end when Harry was chasing him and Draco, but he didn't. Why do you think that is?

Well, I'd quote Hermione from HBP, when she said to Harry that Snape has the same love for DADA as she could feel when he taught them, the same way as Harry.
Snape loved DADA, and thats why he applied for the post. But I think Snape and Dumbledore probably knew what was gonna happen and I guess Snape didn't care if he wouldn't return to Hogwarts the next year becuz it might not re-open for all we know.
And whatever happens I still believe that Snape is not evil! He acted on Dumbledore's orders. And obviously he's on the Order's side, now after the end we all saw in HBP everyone in the order thinks the same that Snape was like a snake up in the sleeve. But he couldve easily killed off Harry when Harry was chasing him but he didnt , cast aside the hatred Snape has for Harry and his dad James, Snape is on the Order's side and see how Dumbledore would always stand up for him saying I know him better. Dumbledore mightve been wrong but I don't think he was in trusting Snape.
And see he didnt know anything of the plan , that Draco was to bring any Death Eaters to Hogwarts. Snape had been acting as an insider bringing in info to Dumbledore, now with Dumbledore gone, I guess teh Order's gonna work just be themselves, and Harry alone will go looking for Horcruxes.

Snape is very skillful at Dark Arts, and like someone already said, he really loves them. He might even have thought he is so skilled at Dark Arts he can break the curse. He might have thought about it as a challenge: if he would have won the curse and been able to stay at Hogwarts after his first DADA-year, that would have proved he is the most powerful wizard. It´s always good for your self-confidence to do things no-one has managed to do before.

Perfect way to leave Hogwarts, I agree. If he really knew about the curse/believed it would affect him. Maybe Snape himself wanted to go "out there" even before the Final War, to sneak even more deeply into the Dark Society? We remember for example Bella didn´t much trust him. I don´t think the Order necessarily knows he is on their side, if he now is. So he might not actually spy now, but will be the one that will make his most important move when the Death Eaters least expect it.

But he could´ve been saving Harry´s life simply because Voldemort had taken the baby-Harry´s victory over him a tad ... err .... personally and wanted to kill Harry himself?
Don´t we all want a job we love rather than a job we merely bear? And even though divination is not an exact science, I think Dumbledore had the talent, somehow, since he seemed to know almost beforehand everything important that was going to happen. So yes, also I think Dumbledore has planned it all or at least most of it.

I think Dumbledore knew exactly what he was doing. I also think that Snape is completely on the good side and Dumbledore planned for things to go just like they did. I would hate it if Snape died for anyone named Potter though...I just think that is making him go too far :-(