I think he was just a bully, nothing more. He bullied Severus because he was bored and Severus was convenient. James was an arrogant ass, which convinced me that he thought he could have any girl he wanted.

Oh, I definitely agree that he was a bully (and an arrogant d-bag). There was no excuse for any of the things he did, and we have written cannon proof that James (and the other Marauders) used him for entertainment purposes. But I kinda wonder if part of the reason he went after Sev so much was because Lily shot him down so much, but was best friends with Sev.

Hmmm, maybe. Wow if that's true that makes James even more of a gutless d-bag. I may have to change my answer now.

I think yes! Because Lily loves Severus and not James, who was very arrogant and not any good man for Lily. And I can not imagine that they married after ... a mystery to me.

Lupin said that James "deflated his head a bit". Perhaps he became more kind?

Yup... That greedy son of a bitch.

One thing I have learned in my years is that most bullies are also control freaks. Jealousy can be used as another form of control. The old he or she just loves me so much, when it's just another form of "I'm getting my way."