Question

Which character is described in these lines? "The man-ruler famous, The long-worthy atheling, sat very woful, Suffered great sorrow, sighed for his liegemen, When they had seen the track of the hateful pursuer, The spirit accursed: too crushing that sorrow, Too loathsome and lasting."

Answer 1

I would say that the character described in these lines is Hrothgar, the king of Danes. His men are being killed by the monster Grendel, and he realizes that he needs a hero to help him get rid of the monster and save his kingdom.