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What formula made Mario Puzo’s The Godfather novel and the film trilogy based on it so iconic?
The Godfather established a groundbreaking formula by intertwining themes of power, loyalty, and family unity with the strategic brilliance of its criminal characters. By portraying these characters as both ruthless strategists and devoted family protectors, it created a nuanced and ambivalent view of criminal leadership.
Why did the film trilogy and other movies in this genre achieve global success and long-lasting cultural influence? What makes these films recognizable and famous in popular culture today?
The films resonated worldwide because they didn’t just depict criminals as villains but as thinkers, i.e. complex, skillful leaders navigating intricate power dynamics. Their ability to shape, protect, and elevate both their public image and private lives set them apart from earlier portrayals.
How do the characters in The Godfather embody Machiavellian leadership?
The characters mirror several of Machiavelli’s principles from The Prince, using deception, alliances, and calculated violence to secure or grow power. This class will delve deeper into the question: Are they simply Machiavellian because of these traits, or do they engage in a more deliberate and sophisticated kind of “game”?
What is a “Machiavellian game,” and how will this class evaluate it?
A Machiavellian game is a social ecosystem where the use of strategic violence, deterrence, manipulation, calculated risk, and long-term planning allows an individual player or a group to achieve dominance in a predictable way, for long periods of time. In this course, we’ll apply a specific framework to analyze the degree of Machiavellian traits in these characters and their actions.
How do these characters differ from earlier depictions of criminals?
Earlier films (1900–1970) often reduced criminals to one of three popular stereotypes:
How does ethnicity shape these portrayals, and is it problematic?
The Mafia’s representation in The Godfather draws from a romanticized yet fictionalized vision of Italian-American culture. While these portrayals have inspired pride among some Italian-Americans, they’ve also reinforced stereotypes that can fuel discrimination. This raises important questions: At what point do these depictions become offensive? How have they shaped perceptions of Italian-Americans and real-world Mafia organizations?
What role does Mafia folklore play in the cultural impact of these stories?
The class will examine how Mafia folklore—spanning movies, TV shows, video games, songs, and posters—has amplified the myths of criminal leadership. Interestingly, these fictional portrayals not only influenced public perception but also served as a blueprint for real-life mobsters, who adopted the personas and strategies popularized in these works.