Michael Corleone Shared Traits with His Father, But He Would Have Refused to Carry Out His Worst Crime
Michael Corleone, the protagonist of the Godfather trilogy, shared many traits with his father, Vito Corleone. Like Vito, Michael displayed intelligence, patience, coolness, and leadership. However, while Vito might not have committed the worst crime in the story, Michael did, and it was a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Fredo’s murder was Michael’s darkest moment, a betrayal that went against the core values of the Corleone family. Loyalty to family was a fundamental tenet, and Michael’s decision to execute his brother for his betrayal was a cruel and uncharacteristic move. Fredo’s death was a business decision, a necessary evil in the world of the Corleones, but it was also a moral compromise that would weigh heavily on Michael’s conscience.
Michael’s ruthlessness was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allowed him to maintain power and control over the family business, but on the other hand, it cost him dearly. He became consumed by guilt and regret, struggling to come to terms with his past actions.
In contrast, Vito’s approach would have been different. He would have likely exiled Fredo from the family business and put him under surveillance, forgiving but never forgetting. Unlike Michael, Vito’s conscience was not burdened with the weight of Fredo’s murder, allowing him to die peacefully at the end of The Godfather.
Michael’s success as the head of the Corleone family was marked by immense wealth, power, and influence, but it came at a great personal cost. The Godfather Part III shows Michael isolated and miserable, regretful of his past actions and haunted by the memory of his brother’s murder. The film leaves the audience to wonder whether Michael’s success was worth the price, and whether following his father’s more compassionate example would have been a wiser path.