Vinland Saga doesn't fail to pull characters or historical figures from real-life history and fictionalize them in the story. After all, on some level many of these characters follow what happens in actual history along with their own character development. One of them being the former Prince Canute, who had suddenly grown from a relatively spoiled, naive, and soft-spoken prince that hadn't seen the harshness of the world. After witnessing the death of his father, and suffering a huge personal loss in the form of his retainer Ragnar, along with being marked for death because of his father, he has changed in season 2 to be more cunning, manipulative, and a bit more harsh despite his intentions. Of course, Canute as a character has changed drastically but by how much, and why is this such a significant change for the future?
Needless to say, many of the historical and mythical figures in Vinland Saga have their own place in history and the story. Prince Canute's role was to be one of a few to inherit the throne of Denmark, although because of his weak and lack of emotional maturity, King Sweyn had sent him out to the battlefield to leave him for dead. However, this doesn't go well as seen or expected by the end of the first season. After all, unfortunate circumstances occurred to Thorfinn as well as Prince Canute, forcing them to change on different paths of maturity.
Canute's Naivety.
One noticeable change when it comes to Canute's development and starting character would have to be his originally soft-spoken and naive disposition of his circumstances. Canute was considered a passive, albeit soft-spoken individual who couldn't stand up for himself despite having the authority to do so, which led to many of the people around him to take advantage of that fact. Including his own father and Askeladd, many individuals had planned to use him for their own ends or dispose of him in the greater picture for Denmark. Partially due to Ragnar's influence as his security blanket of sorts, Canute didn't grow up with the same level of conviction or personal strength as his family or King Sweyn, making him comparably more timid compared to Thorfinn.
Even so, other aspects of his character that have changed are his timid nature. With enough interest in Thorfinn, which started off as a relatively harmless conversation; Thorfinn pokes and prods enough at Canute to get him to speak his mind even with a stutter. Because of this small little development, along with being called a 'princess' by Thorfinn, Canute's flustered words and reaction is enough to show that a seed of change has begun to form within Canute. This all comes to a head at the end of the first season where King Sowens' death along with Prince Canute's sudden growth in maturity is displayed as a result of Ragnar's death and the circumstances which pushed him to be the person he is now.
How This Change Affected Canute
Nevertheless, the newly reigning King Canute has become an individual who's hardened, manipulative and cunning of his authority along with his new stance on the war in which he needed to participate to gain his crown. The change in perspective made Canute a far more engaging character to the audience because of the drastic change that took place over the course of a season, as well as being able to become an individual who made him much more stern and focused. Whether this change is a positive or negative one remains to be seen, but it certainly has made Canute willing to commit or command underhanded methods to succeed the war and become king of Denmark. Even so, this change in character and personality has been positively received by many, and could be negatively received by some.
After all, Prince Canute's personality back in season 1 could be considered nearly unshakable and yet absurd to many fans of Vinland Saga. Seeing his naivety change into maturity as Canute is faced with insurmountable pressure and manages to rise above it and become the man we now see in season 2. Despite this, it could be considered a negative change considering the lack of empathy or mercy that is being exhibited in the episode which he was reintroduced. This could make his character much less admirable and a possible antagonist for Thorfinn, although this is highly unlikely. Vinland Saga doesn't have villains or a conventional antagonist of any sorts, as the arc is more focused on following Thorfinn and Einar's path to self-reflection and discovery, while King Canute's conquest and change is a focus that needed to be shown despite its surface-level disconnection to Thorfinn's plight.
Even so, it's very clear to see that Canute has changed drastically over the course of time. This impact manages to shock the viewers who come back into witnessing what has affected Canute to become the hardened king-like figure we see him as now. With the future of the series uncertain with episodes left until the season ends, Canute's involvement into the story is most likely to be explored deeply as time goes on. In what way and how is another question that needs to be answered, even if it seems like the audience won't get it for now. Vinland Saga focused on Canute's changed over the course of time, and because of the change in Canute's personality, outlook and principles; the world may change for the better or for the worst. Allowing us to engage in the story of Canute was most likely a long-term decision, one which paid off.