Meaning of the cat in the opening scene of Godfather I?
I am aware that the cat was a spur of the moment idea of Coppola who in
explains that Coppola had seen the cat running around and handed it to Brando who liked animals and took to the cat.It occurs to me that the playing with the cat is sort of out of character for Vito who if anything is a serious man and certainly is discussing serious matters.
While Coppola in the commentary does not say this, could it be that the subtext of the scene is that Vito is showing those visiting him that if he wants to play with a cat in while discussing these matters, he can and too bad if you don't like it.
On the other hand, it seems clear that Vito would not have played with a cat when meeting Sollozzo and certainly not when meeting with the other heads of families.
Best Answer
Coppola thought the innocent cat would show the softer side of the character Vito Corleone. The cat also became a symbol for the hidden claws Vito would later have.
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What does the cat symbolize in The Godfather?
The cat in Vito's hands is a symbol of the judicious way in which he wields power: he plays with the cat and gives it what it wants until he decides playtime is over. The Don giveth, and the Don taketh away, so to speak.What does the opening scene of The Godfather mean?
It is the wedding day of the daughter of the Godfather, Don Corleone. The Italian immigrant Bonasera, an undertaker, has come to ask for a favor: He wants to avenge an assault upon the honor and body of his own daughter, who was beaten by her boyfriend and another young man.Was The cat in The Godfather panned?
The cat on Brando's lap was a stray and not supposed to be in the film. In fact, the cat's purring almost ruined the scene. "The cat in Marlon's hands was not planned for," Coppola said, according to Time.Did The Godfather have a cat?
As it turns out, director Francis Ford Coppola didn't originally mean for the cat to have any kind of meaning because the cat wasn't meant to be in the scene at all. \u201cThe cat in Marlon's hands was not planned for,\u201d Coppola said according to Time Magazine.THE GODFATHER | Opening Scene | Paramount Movies
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Answer 2
I don't think it means, "I can play with my cat whenever I want to." Vito cares deeply about people. He loves his wife and children. He helped that poor woman in Godfather II who was having her rent hiked by her landlord. He has shown his softer side on many occasions, but people also know he can be ruthless when it's necessary.
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