It's easy to explain Michael's transition from family outsider at Connie's wedding, to hand-kissed Don Corleone at the end of the movie, to circumstances: Vito's incapacitation, Fredo's incompetence, Sonny's assassination, making him the default Don. But, do you think Michael actually wanted to be the Don?

Evidently, He didn't want that life, that why he joined the military. Circumstances made it a nessacity, we already know that. IMO it doesn't matter if he wanted to, He needed to protect his blood family from harm, that was his duty. Protecting his Fathers business came with that responsibility. All the actions at the end GF1 proves this. In GF2, Now its his business and the legacy of his family both the mob and blood, that he must protect. By that point, It was his life, it was apart of survival. Michael was able to supercede Don Vito because he learn from his experience in the military and going to Sicily, gave him the training of a true Mafioso (in the context of the story).

Hamilton opined that the sources of war lay in the natural ambitions and avarice of all human beings.

The same could be said of Michael: whatever actions he took as necessary to protect his father eventually fed his ambition and avarice.

I think that's a complicated question.

But, in the end, I think the answer is "yes."

Not so much because he wanted to be Don in and of itself but because he wanted certain things out of life (power, success, the ability to make his own choices, legitimization of the Corleone name) and he realized that he could best accomplish them by becoming Don.

I always think back to the scene outside the hospital when Enzo's hands are shaking. Michael lights his cigarette for him and looks down to see how steady his own hands are. I think, right then, the lightbulb goes off in Michael's head - "I'm good at this!"

My take, for what it is worth!

I don't think “Michael actually wanted to be the Don”

Besides it was a given that Sonny was the heir apparent and “legitimization of the Corleone name” under Sonny was not in play?

Michael may have “wanted certain things out of life (power, success, the ability to make his own choices...)” which Michael was going to “accomplish” away from the Corleones crime business - Senator Corleone, Governor Corleone...

I don't believe the below had any bearing to Michael wanting to be the Don
1. “I'm with you now” at Vito's hospital bedside
2. lighting Enzo's cigarette
3. killing Sollozzo and McCluskey

Michael's involvement was solely and all about protecting Vito, at that stageI believe Michael had no aspiration of “becoming Don” which was thrust upon him
“circumstances: Vito's incapacitation, Fredo's incompetence, Sonny's assassination, making him the default Don” and Michael had to resign himself to his 'destiny'

So, what's your answer gonna be, Turnbull?

Do you think Michael actually wanted to be the Don?

Excellent posts, all! I don't disagree with any.

Michael certainly didn't start out wanting to be the Don--or even to sit with his family at Connie's wedding, or even to identify with them ("That's my family, Kay, it's not me."). And yes, circumstances had a big part in propelling him into the family business.

But, I don't think he was a reluctant Don. As I posted in another thread: Michael had choices and alternatives at every step of his ascent to the Donship, and he chose the Mafia way. He talked a lot about "responsibility" and "legitimacy," "protecting my family from the horrors of this world." But, he liked the absolute power of being the Don--of having no restraints on eliminating enemies, buying alliances,getting his way by any means, legal or illegal, through the sheer exercise of power. He could only get that by wanting to be the Don, not by wearing the mantle of Donship reluctantly.

In the novel, Vito says, "A man has but one destiny." He was referring to Sonny's desire to be in the family business instead of law school. He might just as well have been referring to Michael's choices.

TB, I agree. As I posted above, regardless of predestination, Michael was susceptible to the intoxicating effect of power. He did not accept his father's guidance, he seemingly estranged himself to a large degree from his family (not just from his family's business) and, as the novel states, he enjoyed the icy chill that accompanied his hiding of his true feelings. Power ... that's what all of that was about: he was in control.

It was Vito who chose the Mafia way for him

I don't think “Michael actually wanted to be the Don”

No doubt he liked the absolute power of being the Don afterwards but I reckon he was a reluctant Don, had no aspiration of “becoming Don” which was thrust upon him because of Sonny's assassination and Vito's desire to make the Corleones top Mafia family again

He was tutored by Vito longer than a year for Donship

What choices and alternatives did he have at every step of his ascent to the Donship?

He had choices at every step. See the thread "Michael's Choices" above.

What choices did Michael have not to become the Don?

"Vito's desire to make the Corleones top Mafia family again"
I believe Michael had little or no choice in taking over the Donship because it seems Vito [Corleones] needed to re-establish their glory, standing, reputation etc. that they are not weak and crumbling like everyone thought

Vito could have cut their losses, handed the business over to Clemenza and Tessio and let Michael try to start a new life away from Mafia

Vito planned all the dirty work - killing of Carlo Rizzi [for Michael to make his daughter a widow] and Moe Greene, the baptism murders - for Michael to carry out after Vito's death thus leaving a murderous legacy for “I never wanted this for you” son

Sure thing “It was Vito who chose the Mafia way for him”
“He was tutored by Vito longer than a year for Donship” before was even allowed out! to go and see Kay

“No doubt he liked the absolute power of being the Don afterwards”
Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely [Sir John Dalberg-Acton]

What choices did Michael have not to become the Don? None

“It was Vito who chose the Mafia way for him”

He had to

Vito injured him

It seems to me both Vito and Michael were “reluctant Dons” the Donship was, by all accounts, thrust upon both Vito and Michael, their respective "circumstances:"

Vito having lost his Grocery store job because of Fanucci, then Fanucci muscling in, demanding to wet his beak in Vito's [Clemenza and Tessio's] risky, hard earned money - including to put food on the table for his wife Carmela and their kids

Michael because of Vito's [Corleones] need, pride to re-establish the Corleones glory, standing, reputation etc. that they are not weak and crumbling like everyone says "Vito's desire to make the Corleones top Mafia family again"

The tragedy for Michael is, Michael's situation was not dire like Vito's Michael still had the opportunity to try a new life away from Mafia

Vito embraced the Mafia life “I don't apologize that's my life” whereas Michael to Geary “we're both part of the same hypocrisy”

Vito's bonus! an old fashioned traditional wife, Carmela, with her unconditional love and loyalty for Vito
Michael's wife [“and Kay -- well -- Kay was -- well --”] became Michael's horror

No doubt Carmela is the one who kept the family together

She also embraced the Mafia life Carmela's friend got reduced rent and kept the dog

If my memory serves me right, among others -

It occurred to me Vito and Michael were not dissimilar in their - before and after – becoming evil, ruthless, murderous crime boss

Good
Vito

• dancing with Carmela at Carlo and Connie's wedding
• picking up baby Santino from the playpen and rocking Santino
• “for me, there's only my wife and son [is beautiful]” while watching the play with Genco
• looking on distressed as sick baby Fredo is crying
• Carmela “what a nice pear” then reaching for, holding each other's hand and kissing at the dinner table

Michael

• perfect! host to Kay at Carlo and Connie's wedding
• Christmas shopping with Kay
• after “The Bells of St. Mary's” at Radio City Music Hall
• promising show and dinner outing in the city to whining! Kay just before the garden scene with Vito
• dancing at Anthony's party [Kay did point out Michael's “legitimization of the Corleone name” promise was past it's deadline!] but Michael was trying....
• protecting Kay after the bedroom shooting, putting his body on the line!
• Sicily scenes with Appollonia
• drinks with Fredo in Havana

Bad
Vito

• shutting Carmela out of business, starting with when he went into the bathroom and closed the door on her after receiving the bundle of guns from Clemenza
• when Carmela asked Vito “Don't you feel well? Is your boss treating you all right?” Vito says somewhat curtly “forget it”
  Michael

Michael
[however in fairness! to Michael, what was Kay expecting?!]

• telling Kay that he did not have Carlo killed
• shutting the door on Kay after Kay [overstayed] visiting Anthony and Mary but Kay 'aborted' their 'son'

Ugly
It is the business they had chosen Kill or be killed

except Fredo killing

An astonishing admission from someone as self-deluded as Michael.

How was he self-deluded? He admitted what his life was

He set Michael up to be murdered He had opportunities for atonement but was too insanely jealous and resentful

Vito was astonishing on all counts

Vito was instrumental, contributed and caused the death / gloom / doom of every one of his children

Vito was slipping even in business including his handling of the drugs trade “Ten years ago could Sollozzo have gotten to Vito"

The official Mario Puzo Library Finally the truth!

My two cents worth!
Vito and Michael sentiments aside....

Vito is seen through rose-coloured glasses
Finally the truth! No doubt he was a cold blooded murderer despite his outward nice guy appearances! committing horrendous acts, cold blooded gruesome murders, destroying families

Lana, by the way, great comparison of Vito and Michael were not dissimilar in their - before and after – becoming evil, ruthless, murderous crime boss Like father like son

Keep harping on! No doubt Carmela is the one who kept the family together
Michael's wife [“and Kay -- well -- Kay was -- well --”] became Michael's horror

Just saying

1 both reluctant Dons
2 both evil, ruthless, murderous crime boss
3 he Genco Michael had Tom
4 he had bonus wife he horror wife
5 he no sibling problems he brother, sister problems
6 he no legitimacy burden but his goal for Michael
7 times were changing