"Omerta" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "Omerta" by Mario Puzo, the characters play various roles within the mafia world. Don Raymonde Aprile is the powerful and respected head of the Aprile Crime Family. Astorre Viola serves as Don Aprile's trusted consigliere, providing advice and guidance. Dita Tommaseo is Don Aprile's longtime mistress, while Rose Marie Aprile is his loyal wife. Dante Clericuzio, Don Aprile's nephew, is poised to become his successor. Cross De Lena and Croccifixio Santadio are rival mafia bosses who threaten Don Aprile's empire. Croccifixio Santadio Jr. is the ambitious son of Santadio, eager to follow in his father's footsteps. Claudia De Lena is Dante Clericuzio's daughter, caught between the worlds of family loyalty and personal desires. Bobby Bantz is Don Aprile's trusted bodyguard, ensuring his safety in a dangerous world.

Character Descriptions

• Don Raymonde Aprile: Don Aprile is described as a powerful and charismatic figure, commanding respect and loyalty from those around him. He is known for his intelligence, strategic thinking, and ability to maintain a peaceful empire in the violent world of organized crime.
• Astorre Viola: Astorre Viola is portrayed as a wise and level-headed consigliere. He is always by Don Aprile's side, offering counsel and helping him navigate the intricate web of mafia politics.
• Dita Tommaseo: Dita Tommaseo is depicted as a beautiful and seductive woman who has been Don Aprile's mistress for many years. She is fiercely loyal to him and plays a significant role in his personal life.
• Rose Marie Aprile: Rose Marie Aprile is Don Aprile's devoted wife. She stands by her husband's side, providing emotional support and maintaining the appearance of a respectable family.
• Dante Clericuzio: Dante Clericuzio is a complex character torn between his loyalty to his family and his personal desires. He is ambitious and eager to prove himself as the next leader of the Aprile Crime Family.
• Cross De Lena: Cross De Lena is a rival mafia boss who poses a threat to Don Aprile's empire. He is ruthless and cunning, willing to do whatever it takes to gain power and control.
• Croccifixio Santadio: Croccifixio Santadio is another rival mafia boss who challenges Don Aprile's authority. He is known for his violent nature and desire for revenge.
• Croccifixio Santadio Jr.: Croccifixio Santadio Jr. is a young and ambitious man who aspires to follow in his father's footsteps. He is eager to prove himself in the world of organized crime, even if it means going against Don Aprile.
• Claudia De Lena: Claudia De Lena is Dante Clericuzio's daughter, caught between her loyalty to her family and her own desires for independence and love. She struggles with the expectations placed upon her by her father and the mafia world.
• Bobby Bantz: Bobby Bantz is Don Aprile's trusted bodyguard. He is vigilant and dedicated to ensuring the safety of the Don and his family.

Character Traits

• Don Raymonde Aprile: Intelligent, charismatic, strategic, respected, powerful
• Astorre Viola: Wise, level-headed, loyal, trustworthy
• Dita Tommaseo: Beautiful, seductive, loyal
• Rose Marie Aprile: Devoted, supportive, maintaining appearances
• Dante Clericuzio: Ambitious, torn, conflicted, eager to prove himself
• Cross De Lena: Ruthless, cunning, power-hungry
• Croccifixio Santadio: Violent, vengeful, challenging authority
• Croccifixio Santadio Jr.: Ambitious, eager to prove himself, following in his father's footsteps
• Claudia De Lena: Conflicted, torn between loyalty and personal desires
• Bobby Bantz: Vigilant, dedicated, loyal

Character Background

• Don Raymonde Aprile: Don Aprile comes from a long line of Sicilian mobsters but has managed to build a successful and peaceful empire in America. He is highly respected within the mafia world and has earned a reputation for his intelligence and strategic thinking.
• Astorre Viola: Astorre Viola has been Don Aprile's consigliere for many years, offering guidance and advice. He is a trusted member of the Aprile Crime Family, with deep knowledge and experience in the world of organized crime.
• Dita Tommaseo: Dita Tommaseo has been Don Aprile's mistress for a significant period, standing by his side and providing companionship and support.
• Rose Marie Aprile: Rose Marie Aprile is Don Aprile's loyal wife, who has chosen to overlook his extramarital affairs and maintain the appearance of a respectable family.
• Dante Clericuzio: Dante Clericuzio is Don Aprile's nephew and a potential successor to the family empire. He has grown up within the mafia world, witnessing the power and influence of his uncle.
• Cross De Lena: Cross De Lena is a rival mafia boss who has been a constant thorn in Don Aprile's side. He seeks to undermine Don Aprile's power and take control of his empire.
• Croccifixio Santadio: Croccifixio Santadio is another rival mafia boss who is driven by revenge and a desire to challenge Don Aprile's authority.
• Croccifixio Santadio Jr.: Croccifixio Santadio Jr. is the son of Santadio, eager to prove himself and follow in his father's footsteps in the world of organized crime.
• Claudia De Lena: Claudia De Lena is Dante Clericuzio's daughter, caught between the loyalty she owes to her family and her own desires for independence and love.
• Bobby Bantz: Bobby Bantz is Don Aprile's loyal bodyguard, entrusted with ensuring his safety in a dangerous world.

Character Arcs

• Don Raymonde Aprile starts as a powerful Don, maintaining a peaceful empire. However, as threats arise from rival mafia bosses, his character arc involves strategizing to protect his family and maintain control.
• Dante Clericuzio begins as an ambitious nephew, eager to succeed Don Aprile. Throughout the story, his character arc explores the challenges he faces in balancing his loyalty to the family with his own desires for power and love.
• Claudia De Lena's character arc revolves around her struggle to break free from the expectations of her mafia family and find her own independence and happiness.
• Croccifixio Santadio Jr.'s character arc involves his journey to prove himself as a formidable mobster, following in his father's footsteps and seeking recognition within the criminal underworld.

Relationships

• Don Raymonde Aprile has a complex relationship with his consigliere, Astorre Viola, relying on him for advice and guidance.
• Dita Tommaseo is Don Aprile's mistress, and their relationship is characterized by loyalty and companionship.
• Rose Marie Aprile stands by her husband's side, maintaining the appearance of a loyal and devoted wife.
• Dante Clericuzio has a strained relationship with his daughter, Claudia De Lena, as he struggles to balance his expectations of her with her desire for independence.
• Bobby Bantz plays a crucial role in ensuring Don Aprile's safety, creating a strong bond of trust between them.
• The relationship between Don Aprile and his rival mafia bosses, Cross De Lena and Croccifixio Santadio, is one of animosity and constant power struggle.
• Croccifixio Santadio Jr. idolizes his father and seeks his approval, leading to a complex relationship between them.

The characters in "Omerta" by Mario Puzo are richly developed and play important roles within the world of organized crime. From the powerful and respected Don Aprile to the ambitious Dante Clericuzio and the cunning rival bosses, each character's background, traits, and relationships contribute to the intricate plot and character arcs in the novel.