John Rolfe is the deuteragonist of Disney's 1998 animated feature film Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World, the sequel to the 1995 film Pocahontas.
Background[]
John Rolfe is a dashing young English diplomat in service to King James. He is sent to Jamestown with the task of bringing Chief Powhatan back to England for negotiations in order to prevent a war between the natives and the English. His character is based on the historical John Rolfe, who was married to the real-life Pocahontas. In the film, he and Pocahontas are initially at odds, but he eventually falls strongly in love with her.
Rolfe is known for his knowledge of polite society and proficiency in the English rules of etiquette. He is at odds with Pocahontas when they first meet, but they make up during the voyage back to England when he guards her against the rough crew, thus earning her respect.
Role in the film[]
John Rolfe is tasked by King James with bringing Chief Powhatan to London for negotiations in order to avoid another war between the natives and the settlers. He is greeted by the settlers in Jamestown, as well as Pocahontas. However, he dislikes Pocahontas initially when she rebukes him for interfering with an incident between Powhatan warriors and the settlers, who were about to attack one another.
Later, Rolfe overhears two women talking about how Pocahontas stopped a war, and falsely assumes that Pocahontas is the name of the chief, rather than of the young woman he just met. That night, he brings a horse as a gift for the "chief" but is astonished to learn who Pocahontas really is. The real chief, Powhatan, refuses to go to England and so, Rolfe is forced to take Pocahontas so that war can be avoided. Rolfe and Pocahontas clash on the voyage but soon reach a truce after Rolfe saves Pocahontas from being arrested for keeping stowaways (Flit, Meeko, and Percy) on the ship.
In England, Rolfe is given a proclamation by Governor Ratcliffe on behalf of the king, which states that if King James is not impressed by the Powhatan ambassador, an armada will set sail for Jamestown. After resting at his estate, Rolfe meets with King James. At Ratcliffe's suggestion, both Rolfe and Pocahontas are invited to a ball that night. Pocahontas would have to impress the king by appearing "civilized" in order to prevent the armada from sailing, much to the disgust of Rolfe.
Pocahontas agrees to the plan, despite Rolfe's doubts, and is tutored in dancing and etiquette. She dons a dress, and is powdered white, and is able to impress the king at first. However, Pocahontas offends the king by protesting a bear-baiting, which results in her being arrested and Rolfe's hopes for peace is shattered. That night, Rolfe meets a hooded stranger who assists him in breaking Pocahontas out of prison. At a cabin, the stranger reveals himself to be John Smith, who had been assumed dead after Ratcliffe had tried to arrest him. The fact that John Smith is still alive proves that Ratcliffe had been lying to the king in order to avoid his own crimes. While Smith wishes for Pocahontas to remain hidden, Rolfe allows Pocahontas to follow her heart. Smith soon realizes that Rolfe loves her.
Pocahontas goes before the king and queen and, with the help of Rolfe and Smith, is able to reveal Ratcliffe as a traitor and liar. Rolfe and the others then race to stop the armada, which they do so successfully. For his part in revealing the plot, Rolfe is offered a position as the king's advisor. He chooses to stay and Pocahontas chooses to head home alone. On the ship, Rolfe suddenly appears, revealing that he has actually turned down the king's position in favor of staying with her. Rolfe and Pocahontas passionately embrace and romantically kiss as the ship sails off in the sunset.
Differences from History[]
- Rather than having been a diplomat for King James, the historic John Rolfe was a merchant and later a plantation owner where he farmed tobacco. It was said that Pocahontas helped with cultivation.
- Rolfe was previously married to Sarah Hacker who died in 1610. This fact is never brought up in the movie.
- The movie portrays Rolfe having met Pocahontas after she is established as an important figure in Jamestown. In real life, he met her while she was still in captivity by the English.
- It is often debated what Rolfe and Pocahontas's relationship was like. Contrary to popular belief, there was little evidence supporting the idea that there was any antagonism between the two. Most recorded accounts believe that they considered each other pleasant company. Rolfe was said to have been genuinely in love with her, but was concerned about marrying a "heathen". When he discovered that she had already converted to Christianity, he readily married her.
- The real John Rolfe did not have a maid whatsoever. His mother and siblings resided in Heacham. After Pocahontas died, Rolfe gave his son Thomas to Sir Lewis Stukeley who later transferred the wardship to Rolfe's brother, Henry. He would never see him again.
Trivia[]
- Despite the fact that John Rolfe's existence in the film respects real events, the character himself is widely panned by a wide part of the fandom - mainly due to the film having him replace the more fan-favorable John Smith as Pocahontas' love interest, thus making John Rolfe one of the most unpopular Disney characters. As a result, the Disney Princess couples still place John Smith as Pocahontas' lover instead of John Rolfe in merchandise.
- However, despite that, the Pocahontas/John Rolfe-pairing has a small but very dedicated fanbase.
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