Vito vs. Michael: Who Was More Ruthless in The Godfather?

The Godfather remains one of the greatest cinematic sagas of all time. Central to its success is the question of who was more ruthless: Vito Corleone or Michael Corleone.

Understanding Ruthlessness in The Godfather

The term 'ruthless' can be defined as lacking pity or compassion and often being cruel and merciless. At first glance, one might say that this describes Michael Corleone more than Vito. However, a closer analysis of the characters, especially Vito's compassionate traits, reveals a different picture.

Vito Corleone's Compassion and Loyalty

Vito Corleone, the Don of the Corleone family, was known for his strong sense of loyalty and compassion. He accepted his mentally unstable son, Fredo, despite Fredo's wife Francesca's downsides. Even after the tragic loss of Fredo’s sister by his own son, Salvatore 'Sonny' Corleone, Vito forgave Anthony, who had been responsible for Sal's death. This shows that Vito could be compassionate even in the face of tragedy.

Michael Corleone's Ruthlessness

Michael Corleone, on the other hand, is often portrayed as more ruthless and cold-hearted. He demonstrates this ruthlessness in various instances:

After being 'thrown into' the mafia's violent world, Michael's actions become increasingly ruthless. He did not hesitate to kill his brother, Anthony, allegedly to secure his future in the family business. Michael directly ordered the death of Tom Hagen, seemingly for no apparent reason, and reprimanded him harshly when Tom dared to refuse. Michael had his brother-in-law, Carlo Rizzi, killed for his involvement in setting up Sonny's murder. This act was a clear display of his willingness to eliminate those who stood in his way. Michael was also responsible for the death of a top Capo, Tessio, in a bid to prove his ruthlessness and ultimately take over the business.

Conclusion: A Closer Comparison

While Michael Corleone certainly fits the definition of ruthless, it is less clear that Vito ever truly matched that level of ruthlessness. Vito was forced to step down and pass the mantle to his son Michael due to his own inability to continue his ruthless ways and because of the ambition and efficiency of Michael. Vito's compassion and forgiveness showed that he was not purely ruthless.

It is certainly true that Michael's ruthless actions are more overt and perhaps more morally troubling. However, Vito's inability to continue and Michael's clear decision to take over the family business hint at a more complex competitive landscape where ruthlessness is key.

In the continuation of the family saga, with Connie working with Sonny's son Anthony, the ruthlessness might have intensified significantly, potentially leading to violent consequences for the Corleone family.

Final Verdict

Both Vito and Michael Corleone exhibited different forms of ruthlessness, but the evidence suggests that Michael Corleone was more ruthless in his execution and actions. This is evident in his willingness to eliminate seemingly anyone who stood in his way, including his own brother in law and top Capo.

In conclusion, while the comparison of Vito and Michael's ruthlessness is a fascinating topic, the overwhelming evidence points towards Michael as the more ruthless character in The Godfather saga.