Hrothgar

Hrothgar, known in Old English as Hrōðgār, was a semi-legendary Danish king from around the early 6th century CE.

Background
Hrothgar was born to the Danish king Halfdan Scylding around the early 6th century CE, and succeeded his older brother Heorogar to the throne. He appeared in two Anglo-Saxon epics, Beowulf and Widsith. Hrothgar plays a more significant role in the former, while only being mentioned in the latter, though the end of his feud with his enemy Ingeld is notably only mentioned in Widsith. The general consensus is that the two epics describe the same person. He was presumably a famed king and warrior before the events of Beowulf, and brought great victory in war to his kinsmen.

Name Etymology
Hrothgar's Old Norse name, Hróarr, is thought to be derived from the proto-Norse words Hrōþiwarjaz (famous defender) or Hrōþiharjaz (famous warrior). Hróarr does not have any direct equivalents in Old English, with the closest one being Hrōðgār. Hrōðgār itself comes from the proto-Norse word Hrōþigaizaz (famous spear).

Strengths

 * Was a strong warrior in his younger days
 * Honest and broke no oaths
 * Generous, dealt out rings and treasures at his table
 * Charismatic, was beloved by his people and by foreigners as well

Weaknesses

 * Became weak in his old age, unable to fight Grendel or his mother himself

Role in Beowulf
Hrothgar is first mentioned as the builder of the great hall Heorot and the ruler of Denmark when Beowulf arrives to defeat Grendel. He is greatly emphasized as an honest as generous king, with both Beowulf and the poet himself praising him as a "good king". He had met Beowulf's father Ecgþeow when he first began ruling the Danes after the death of his brother Heorogar. Before the events of Beowulf, Grendel had began terrorizing Heorot every night for twelve years, killing and consuming its inhabitants. Hrothgar warmly welcomes Beowulf when he arrives at Heorot to slay Grendel, and proceeds to thank God and swears to love Beowulf like a son after the hero defeats Grendel.

Afterwards, Grendel's mother attacks Heorot and kills Hrothgar's best friend and closest advisor Aeschere, causing Hrothgar to mourn. Beowulf proceeds to hunt down Grendel's mother and avenge Aeschere, and afterwards Hrothgar showers him with gifts and warns him to beware of arrogance. Hrothgar embraces Beowulf and weeps that they will not meet again due to his old age, and never appears in the poem again aftewards.