PRESIDENT SNOW
THE POISON
Coriolanus Snow is a native of the Capitol and is the tyrannical and ruthless dictator of Panem. Although carrying the title of President, it is unknown if he was elected to the position democratically. Snow possesses total power in Panem's government and has proven to be a cruel and manipulative dictator, ruling over the Capitol and its contained districts.
It is revealed by Finnick Odair that Snow poisoned his allies, as he believes that they would become future foes. He had to drink the poison as well so that he wouldn't attract suspicion. Even though he took antidotes, the poison caused permanent sores inside his mouth that never healed. As a result, he always wears a genetically-engineered rose, which covers the scent of blood stained on his breath.
"Snow poisoned his allies as he believes that they would become future foes."
He also works on the annual Hunger Games and heads the military responsible for oppressing the districts. He is power-hungry, brutal, and despicable, even though he treats his granddaughter differently - like his favourite delicate 'white rose'. He has no qualms about using intimidation in the pursuit of his agenda, such as when he threatened to kill Katniss Everdeen, Gale Hawthorne, Peeta Mellark, and their families.
"He is power-hungry, brutal, and despicable..."
In Catching Fire, Snow plays a more antagonistic role. President Snow visits Katniss in her Victors' Village home and informs her of the rebellion in the other districts because of her suicide threat in previous Hunger Games. He threatens to kill the people she loves unless she proves to all of Panem that what she did was driven by love with Peeta, not by rebellion, in order to stop the uprising in the districts.
During the Quarter Quell, he reads "As a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol” showing and asserting the kind of power he has as a ruler.
"He threatens to kill the people she loves..."
President Snow confronts Cinna before interview night and tells him to dress Katniss in her wedding dress. Snow is infuriated when Cinna turns Katniss' wedding dress into a Mockingjay dress and orders him killed because Snow already suspects Cinna is a rebel.
Snow watches the third Quarter Quell and is shocked when Katniss and a number of other victors escape the arena. He manages to capture three of them and demands the others be killed, and declares war on the rebel forces. A ruler he is, but a ruthless one. His famous saying to Katniss:
"It's the things we love that destroy us."