Is Snape a Master of Potions?

[jocundasykes]

In canon, Severus Snape is often referred to as a ‘Potions master’. Does this title mean he’s a Master of Potions, has a Master’s degree, or is world-class? I’m going to argue ‘no’, brilliant though he is. 

 

First, let’s have a look at the books.

 

• (Professor Slughorn is referred to as Potions master several times)
• The tiny little Charms master was bobbing his way towards them and Hermione was the only one who had managed to turn vinegar into wine; her glass flask was full of deep crimson liquid, whereas the contents of Harry’s and Ron’s were still murky brown. 
• ‘is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master.’ (Implying it’s a job title. If you had a Potions Mastery, that wouldn’t end in retirement)
• by Rita Skeeter, bestselling author of Armando Dippet: Master or Moron?
• ‘Professor,’ Harry said, approaching the little Charms master, ‘Professor, I’m sorry to interrupt, but this is important.’
• ‘Excuse me,’ said Snape icily, ‘but I believe I am the Potions master at this school.’
• ‘Professor Severus Snape, master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal!’ Snape said, hitting the map with his wand.

 

So you don’t have to take my word for it, let’s look at random stuff I found online showing that ‘master’ is an old-fashioned job title in the UK

 

• Alan Rickman: "I think at heart Snape is basically quite an insecure person, he’s always longing to be something else that people will really respect like a black magician not just a school master. That's why he envies the more popular and successful boys like Harry. He does have a positive side though, even though Harry's a thorn in his side he doesn't let it worry him too much." 
• taught by my prep school science master. 
• The teachers – called masters in those days – all had their own tics, peculiarities, accents and distinguishing features that we pupils studied intently
• On 19th February 1940, 182 boys and 12 masters arrived at Kennylands Camp. They were part of a national scheme to set up camps in several places away from the danger of living in large cities which were the target of Nazi bombers.
• served as Senior History Master at Hull Grammar School for Boys
• was promoted from Senior Master to Third Deputy, with special responsibility for assisting the Headmaster in control and management of the school budget, in liaison with the School Governors.
• the raising of £20,000 by parents, masters, boys, Old Boys and friends of the school so that the three-hundredth anniversary might be fittingly celebrated.
• can hardly have been a suitable building for what were virtually three separate establishments; those of the Master, the Matron and the Boys
• Discipline was a very real problem for the Masters 
• Ultimately, however, a master will be judged by his effectiveness in the classroom
• This widening of the syllabus would throw an added burden on the Master and the committee decided that an Assistant Master should be engaged
• Mr. Crofts’s constant complaint in the early years of his mastership was the poor quality of many of the boys he had to teach

 

And I’ll end with a quote from madasafish: ‘He will certainly not, as occasionally seen in fan fiction, be addressed as "Master Snape" since in British English that is an old-fashioned, formal way of addressing a very small male child who is too young to be called "Mister Snape”.’