Pocahontas dons a dress, and is powdered white, and is able to impress the king at first. Pocahontas agrees to the plan, despite Rolfe's doubts, and is tutored in dancing and etiquette. Pocahontas would have to impress the king by appearing "civilized" in order to prevent the armada from sailing, much to the digust of John Rolfe. At Ratcliffe's suggestion, both Rolfe and Pocahontas are invited to a ball that night. After resting at his estate, Rolfe meets with King James. 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.
Rolfe and Pocahontas clash on the voyage, but soon reach a truce after Rolfe saves Pocahontas from being arrested as a stowaway on the ship. The real chief, Powhatan, refuses to go to England, and so Rolfe is forced to take Pocahontas so that war can be avoided. That night, he brings a horse as a gift for the "chief" but is astonished to learn who Pocahontas really is. 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 met earlier. However, he's disliked by Pocahontas after he interferes in an incident between several Indians and setters, who were ready to attack one another. He is greeted by the settlers in Jamestown, as well as Pocahontas.
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 later shows more class and good manners during the voyage back to England, when he guards Pocahontas from the rough crew. In the film, he and Pocahontas are initially at odds, but he eventually falls strongly in love with her.Īt first, John Rolfe is known for his need to be in charge, which Pocahontas is disgusted with.
His character is based on the historical John Rolfe, who was married to the real life Pocahontas. He is sent to Jamestown with the task of bringing the Indian Chief back to England for negotiations in order to prevent a war between the Indians and the English. John Rolfe is a dashing young English diplomat in service to King James.