Michael Corleone

Michael Corleone was a naive college boy and a war hero and had no intentions of getting mixed up with family business. He expected the Corleone family to be legitimate within five years. However, Virgil Sollozzo's attempt on his father's life changed Michael's perspectives. 

Sonny Corleone was hot-tempered, and he was a bad Don. When Sonny interrupted the conversation between Sollozzo and Vito Corleone regarding a drug business, Sollozzo thought, unlike Vito, Sonny was ok with the deal. This conviction pushed him to get Vito. Sonny made a grievous error. He was not a good listener either. He was emotional and could not conceal his anger and vengeful mind. That was his downfall. Whereas Michel was an introvert and hardly exhibited his negative emotions. 

After the Godfather's death, Sal Tessio made a dramatic turn and allied with Emilio Barzini. He thought that the Corleone family was declining under Michael's leadership. He always considered Michel an inexperienced young lad. Vito Corleone, with his experience and vision, knew Barzini was planning to wipe out the Corleone family. Barzini exploited the Corleone family tension and reached out to Carlo, Michael's brother-in-law, and eliminated Sonny. His next move was getting rid of Michel. He arranged a meeting with Michael through Sal Tessio and had plans to gun down Michael. Before his death, Vito Corleone, Michael's father, warned him about the imminent threat. Therefore, Michel was prepared and made a preemptive strike on Bazini and heads of other families. Sal: "Tessio was smart, but he underestimated Michael's insight and capabilities. 

Throughout his life, Peter Clemenza was loyal to the Corleones. Michael trusted no one except his stepbrother, Thomas Hagen. Micael encountered a number of traumatic events; he witnessed how his father faced an assassination attempt, witnessed the tragic death of his newly wedded wife Apolonia, and experienced the grief of losing his elder brother. 

After becoming the Don, Michael eliminated a number of his opponents. He was transformed into a cold and vengeful character. Michel survived an assassination attempt and witnessed betrayal within his own family. After killing his own brother, Fredo, Michael went into deep despair and eventually broke into tears when he confessed his sins to Cardinal Lamberto. Although he eliminated his enemies , there was no end. His daughter was killed in front of his eyes. It was the breaking point for Michal, and he went into deep seclusion and eventually died with sorrow, disappointments, and feelings of emptiness.