"Tu quoque" is perhaps best translated as "you're one too". I see your argument above as one because it, to some extent, dodges the issues of discussing the particular details of one character's actions by defending it as something everyone does--which reduces it to a generality. There are times when "everyone does it" is a good thing to pull in (arguments of broad cultural influence), but I find too often it cuts off discussion.
To note, I'm on vacation, so...
I think there's possibly (not sure) an element of rationalization in his teaching behavior. He seems very hung up on that how he was treated as a kid was bad--and it was, no doubt. However, he has no problem using his authority as a teacher to bully people in ways that seem to be based on nothing more than personal desire/getting his kicks off of it. He enjoys making the kids miserable in cases where it really has no benefit. No, the two situations are not entirely parallel, but there's an element of hypocrisy/rationalization going on, because he seems to do the "It sucked when it happened to me and I'm still angry about it, but what I'm doing is COMPLETELY different and doesn't have any relationship, so I'm home free." The man is a sadist--albeit a mild one.
In the Shrieking Shack, I cut him slack for not having heard everything. HOWEVER, it's the way he cuts Hermione off, both there and afterwards in the Hospital Wing. It's rather like someone clapping his hands over his ears going "I can't hear you, la la la", because he really has no interesting in hearing it--he KNOWS that what he knows is right, and therefore he has no need to listen to anyone else who might possible raise doubts. The way he does it in the hospital scene seems (although I am totally unsure) SO deliberate--as if he really knows that she does have a point. Rather intellectually arrogant, that.
I speak as someone who liked Snape a lot more before OotP, and I admit that colors my perceptions. I'm eminently willing to alter all opinions upon any solid information about his motivations. I just find him to be something of a hypocrite some of the time--the "I try to treat Harry Potter just like any other student" statement included.
*poofs back into the netherworld of paper-writing sans internet*
no subject
To note, I'm on vacation, so...
I think there's possibly (not sure) an element of rationalization in his teaching behavior. He seems very hung up on that how he was treated as a kid was bad--and it was, no doubt. However, he has no problem using his authority as a teacher to bully people in ways that seem to be based on nothing more than personal desire/getting his kicks off of it. He enjoys making the kids miserable in cases where it really has no benefit. No, the two situations are not entirely parallel, but there's an element of hypocrisy/rationalization going on, because he seems to do the "It sucked when it happened to me and I'm still angry about it, but what I'm doing is COMPLETELY different and doesn't have any relationship, so I'm home free." The man is a sadist--albeit a mild one.
In the Shrieking Shack, I cut him slack for not having heard everything. HOWEVER, it's the way he cuts Hermione off, both there and afterwards in the Hospital Wing. It's rather like someone clapping his hands over his ears going "I can't hear you, la la la", because he really has no interesting in hearing it--he KNOWS that what he knows is right, and therefore he has no need to listen to anyone else who might possible raise doubts. The way he does it in the hospital scene seems (although I am totally unsure) SO deliberate--as if he really knows that she does have a point. Rather intellectually arrogant, that.
I speak as someone who liked Snape a lot more before OotP, and I admit that colors my perceptions. I'm eminently willing to alter all opinions upon any solid information about his motivations. I just find him to be something of a hypocrite some of the time--the "I try to treat Harry Potter just like any other student" statement included.
*poofs back into the netherworld of paper-writing sans internet*