Exposing the Dark Sides of Power and Betrayal: Hyman Roth’s Anger towards Michael in The Godfather: Part II

In the film The Godfather: Part II, Hyman Roth and Michael Corleone, the central figures of the Corleone crime family, are thrust into a web of betrayal and intense hatred. This enmity, rooted in feelings of abandonment and fear of power imbalance, is epitomized in Roth's chilling monologue: "You wanted to see hate, I will show you fucking hate unlike anything you've ever fucking seen in your life, unlike anything you've ever fucking 're going to see hate on a whole other fucking level."

Resentment over the Cuban Partnership

Much of Roth's anger stems from Michael’s reluctance to provide the $2 million needed to settle their partnership deal for the Cuban caper. Michael’s aversion to this financial commitment mirrors his broader hesitations, particularly regarding the stability of the political situation in Cuba. Michael, reflecting long-standing family ties, shares his concerns with Roth, insisting on the need for a more secure environment before embarking on the venture. Yet, the exasperation that Roth expresses indicates a deep-seated fear of a power dynamic that he perceives as becoming too unbalanced in Michael's favor.

The Killing of Moe Greene

Hyman Roth's feelings of anguish and betrayal run even deeper due to the death of his protege, Moe Greene. Roth's own words reveal his affection for Moe, intellectual and trusted. Moe's refusal to sell his share of the casino, which Michael had demanded, led to his tragic demise. Roth's statement to Michael, compelling in its intensity, underscores his belief that Moe was a genius, a figure of immense value to the criminal enterprise. The act of killing Greene, a man Roth had "adopted" in the way a mentor might a protégé, is a violation that leaves Roth with a profound sense of despair and anger.

Signs of an Undermining Enmity

Hyman Roth’s intentions to eliminate Michael are not just a matter of professional rivalry but a demonstration of a power-hungry psychopath’s madness. Roth's attempt to have Frank Pentangeli killed, and the plot orchestrated in Galapagos, to make his brother Fredo take over, all indicate a complex web of hatred driven by fear and loss. The attempt on Michael's life in his own home was a culmination of these sentiments, a brutal act reflecting Roth's determination to maintain a certain level of control and power in the underworld.

The Psychological Ties and Shared History

Roth and Michael, despite their adversarial relationship, share a common history, one that binds them not just as adversaries but as characters shaped by the same moral and criminal world. Roth's disappointment in Michael's actions aligns with a broader arc of disappointment in the family line, a theme that runs through the entire The Godfather series. The psychological ties and shared history make their enmity all the more complex, rooted not just in financial disputes but in a deep sense of commitment to the criminal lifestyle and the betrayal that comes with it.

The Method Acting Era

The performance of Hyman Roth, played by acclaimed actor Lee Strasberg, a pioneer of the Method acting technique, encapsulates the intensity and psychological depth of this character. Strasberg, renowned for his teachings and influence on Method acting, including students such as Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, and Dustin Hoffman, infuses Roth with a raw, burning passion. This performance is a testament to the effectiveness of the Method in achieving depth and authenticity in storytelling.

From the intricate plot twists and emotional confrontations to the raw intensity of Roth's monologue, The Godfather: Part II offers a cinematic exploration of the dark undercurrents of power and betrayal. Through the lens of Hyman Roth and Michael Corleone, the film delves into the human drama that lies at the heart of the criminal underworld, where love, betrayal, and hate coexist in a destructive partnership.