Date of Award

5-1-1994

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to show a correlation between the statements and actions of the character of Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather trilogy and the six phases of the romantic myth, as defined by Northrop Frye. During the evaluation the following premise was developed: Michael Corleone can be considered a hero despite his violent nature.

The procedure of this study was to examine the dialogue and behavior of the character of Michael Corleone in the Godfather trilogy. I have demonstrated that his speech and actions show he is what Frye calls a demonic, romantic hero who completes a quest.

In its conclusions, this examination argues that Michael Corleone is, in fact, a hero who completes the quest of converting his business into a legitimate enterprise. He undergoes a physical and mental transformation twice, once in becoming the Mafia overlord, and again in reverting to his basic concerns for his immediate family. This study also discusseded the nature of the medium's

contributions to the development of this epic story's design used in the Godfather trilogy. Especially important in the presentation is the work of Al Pacino as the leading character in all three works.

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