The Godfather Character Analysis

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Don and Michael are both powerful Godfathers that vary in many ways. Don became a Don because it was all that he really knew and he needed to take care of his family. On the other hand, Michael had a choice. In The Godfather, Michael rises to power as the head of the family. Michael’s character endures an intense change as the film goes on. At the beginning of the film, Michael seems to be a moral and an upright character, but that changes. Power is a major theme in The Godfather, and Michael and Don both pertain to this theme of power. Corruption is closely linked to that of power also, which is seen throughout this film.
Vito Corleone is the head of the Corleone family. Vito is an intelligent Mafia leader known as the Godfather. The Godfather …show more content…

At the beginning of The Godfather, he is not involved in the Mafia and seems to be moving towards a successful career. Through the film, he leaves these plans. He ended up joining the family business and becomes head of the Corleone family. A cruel, heartless man with no acceptance or patience for conflict or disloyalty, Michael is braver, more vicious, and more determined than Vito was, and he becomes very powerful. He demonstrates to be greatly less successful in his personal life it seems. Michael appears unable to rest and relax for just a few moments, and his stressed relationship with his wife, Kay, which he later divorces, is a continual cause of pain and distress. Michael is heartless, intelligent, and very strong-minded. His ability to think unmistakably under pressure, to make quick decisions, and to receive respect makes him a great Godfather. Of Don’s children, he is probably the best person to take over the family. The thing is, Michael was never supposed to get involved in the Mafia though. He was supposed to head towards great things in life. Even when he does begin working for his father, he does not appear to be completely sure with his decision. He told Kay before they got married that the family would become “legitimate.” Michael is troubled with all the responsibility. In many ways, Michael can be seen as a tragic figure. He is very powerful; his greedy desire for revenge creates violence all around him that he cannot get away from; he cannot see the fact that achieving legitimacy is unmanageable, and he is always busy in a war, and this never allows him to

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