The Question of Evil in Michael Corleone

The character of Michael Corleone in The Godfather is often debated as one of the most complex and shadowy figures in the film noir genre. But is Michael truly evil, or are his actions a mere product of his environment and his ruthless nature?

Michael's Descent into Evil

From the very beginning, Michael is depicted as a cold-blooded mobster who is willing to take extreme action to protect his family and advance their interests. By the end of The Godfather, he has become the Don of the Corleone family, controlling a criminal empire that is just as dangerous and corrupt as any of his father's former rivals. Michael's transformation from a reluctant participant in the family business to its ruthless leader is a testament to his qualities of pragmatism and ruthlessness.

As a result of the murders of Sollozzo and McCluskey, Michael becomes a more despicable character, with the passage of time making him even more selfish and ruthless. The death of his first wife, Apollonia, further cements him in the role of the family's ultimate enforcer, as he takes a more active part in the family business. By the end of the first film, he is the new Don of the Corleone family, bringing them to legitimacy through criminal means, and ending up in a position that is as bad or worse than any of his father's former competitors.

Comparing Vito and Michael Corleone

In contrast to his father, who, while not a saint, avoided wholesale bloodshed and was willing to forego vengeance and retribution when it benefited everyone, Michael frequently makes the wrong choices at every turn. He is a man who is devoid of any moral compass, choosing to use violence and deception to advance his own interests, even at the expense of those closest to him, including his own brother, Fredo. This comparison of Vito and Michael emphasizes the stark difference between a leader who is willing to bend rules for the betterment of the family and one who is driven solely by greed and power.

Michael as a Cold Blooded Mobster

Michael Corleone is a cold-blooded mobster who threatens, blackmails, and even kills for his own benefit. Whether they had it coming or not, many of the people Michael brutalized or had killed were subjects of his ruthless tactics. And no matter how justified these actions may have been, it is the way he carries them out without remorse or compunctions that truly separates him from his character.

Michael's evil is rooted in his inability to view people as anything other than tools for the advancement of the Corleone family. He lacks empathy and restraint, and this is what ultimately leads him to the position he is in at the end of the Godfather saga. However, this doesn't mean that Michael is an emotionless monster who can never feel. He is a man who can experience a range of emotions, although he is more inclined to silence those parts of himself that might stand in the way of his ultimate goal.

By the time Michael becomes the head of the Corleone family, he has completely snuffed out any empathy or restraint that he might have had, turning himself into the ultimate symbol of power and control. This ruthless approach to leadership is a necessary quality for a crime boss, but it comes at a cost, as we see in the relationships he has with his family and his ultimate enemies.

Conclusion

Is Michael Corleone truly evil? Yes, he is. His descent into a position of power and control is fueled by his ruthless nature and his willingness to use any means necessary to achieve his goals. He is a man who has lost his humanity in the pursuit of power and control. But like all complex characters, he is not devoid of feelings and emotions, and it is his transformation from a reluctant participant to the ultimate enforcer that makes his character so compelling.

Ultimately, Michael Corleone's journey through the films of The Godfather is a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and the corrupting influence it can have on anyone, regardless of their initial morality.