Final answer:
The four generations before Hrothgar in 'Beowulf' are Scyld Scefing, Beowulf, Healfdane, and then Hrothgar.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four generations leading up to Hrothgar's reign of Denmark, in Beowulf, an epic poem from the Old English period, are as follows:
- Scyld Scefing
- Beowulf (not the hero of the story, but an ancestor of Hrothgar also named Beowulf)
- Healfdane
- Hrothgar himself
These ancestors are revered in the poem, establishing the legacy and royal lineage leading to Hrothgar's kingship.