Introduction
The main themes revealed in both the series of The Godfather films and Shakespeare’s play Richard III are those of personal and public power, as well as the importance of tradition. In both works, the themes are revealed in different ways, allowing for comparison and contrast of their development throughout the action. The Godfather and Richard III share a destructive force in the pursuit of power, yet they speak differently about the importance of establishing boundaries between the personal and the private, as well as preserving traditions.
Thematic Analysis
Public vs. Private
The Godfather
One of the main themes revealed in The Godfather films is the opposition between the public and the private. The nature of organized crime forces each character to lead a double life, blurring the boundaries between personal and professional behavior.
Richard III
In Shakespeare’s Richard III, to achieve his primary goal of seizing the throne, the future king combines personal and public interests. Neither close people nor relatives are obstacles in his path. For example, the character cuts off his connection with Anna and sends her to prison, claiming that she is ill (Shakespeare, 2022).
Richard III is willing to make any sacrifice to achieve his goal, whereas Don Corleone clearly distinguishes between criminal acts and protecting his family’s interests. One of the biggest differences in the characters’ behavior lies in the way this topic is disclosed, which evokes greater empathy for Don Corleone, despite his morally unjustifiable acts.
Power
The Godfather
Another fundamental theme around which The Godfather’s plot is built is power. Don Corleone is portrayed as an all-powerful figure, yet at the end of his life, he appears before the audience as a feeble old man (Santopietro, 2022). This emphasizes the transience and susceptibility of the concept of power, which should not become an end in itself.
Richard III
The whole plot of the play Richard III is also built around the theme of power. By resorting to manipulation and cruelty, the king secures his privileged position through significant human sacrifices. The series of films and Shakespeare’s play are most similar in this theme, as they make it clear that power should not be the primary goal. Power in both works under consideration appears as a destructive force that not everyone can adequately cope with.
Tradition
The Godfather
An important theme revealed in The Godfather series, particularly in the second part, is tradition. Many of Don Corleone’s rules for organizing activities are adopted from the Sicilian tradition, and the American way of life does not change them. Traditions are emphasized in both the conduct of activities and within the family. At his daughter’s wedding, Don Corleone behaves in a markedly traditional manner; the hero believes in mutual assistance and clearly distinguishes between personal and professional relationships, both of which are traditional approaches (Sasso, 2022).
Richard III
Traditions surrounding Richard III also play a significant role in understanding the king’s behavior. For example, the traditional order of succession, which Richard III seeks to alter, is the primary driver of conflict in the play (Shakespeare, 2022). While Don Corleone upholds tradition, Richard III does everything to break it and turn the course of history in his favor. This behavior also fosters sympathy for the mafiosi and leads to the rejection of the image of Richard III.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Godfather and Richard III share a set of themes that are reflected in different ways in the behavior of their main characters. Richard III prioritizes personal connections for a grand goal, whereas Don Corleone always stands up for his family. Richard III is a tradition-breaker, and Don Corleone honors the laws of his homeland in both his personal life and his work. At the same time, both works similarly reveal the theme of power as a destructive force that is not subject to every person.
References
Santopietro, T. (2022). The Godfather effect: Changing Hollywood, America, and me. Applause.
Sasso, R. (2022). Becoming Italian. Italian Americana, 40(2), 166-173.
Shakespeare, W. (2022). Richard III: A Shakespeare’s classic illustrated edition. Amazon Digital Services.