Origins for Beowulf and Rolf Krake

Beowulf and Rolf Krake (Hrolf Kraki) are two well-known characters in the myths and sagas of ancient Scandinavia.

Both are supposed to have lived sometimes around 450 - 550 AD, and much have been discussed over the years regarding the origin of them both.

Table of contents

1 Character alignments
2 Geographical definitions
3 References

3.1 Alignment of characters in the Sagas
3.2 General Beowulf discussions

Character alignments

A common assumption is that Rolf Krake, would be the 'same' as the character of Hrothulf in Beowulf (Hrothgar's nephew).
There seems to be some foreshadowing in Beowulf that Hrothulf will attempt to usurp the throne from Hrothgar's sons, and there is another reference to the future burning of the hall of Heorot in the beginning of the poem - which is the legendary death of Rolf Krake, who is believed to have been burnt to death by his brother-in-law Hjorvard, over a matter of taxes.
Then, the standard view seems to be that -- if Beowulf himself indeed does have a 'cognate' character in Rolf Krakes Saga -- it is Bodvar Bjarke (Bodvar Biarki), who also has a younger companion, Hjalte (Hialti) - perhaps matching the Beowulf character Wiglaf.
According to this theory, also the name of Beowulf is assumed to origin from:
beo (bee) + wulf (wolf), i.e. Bee-Wolf, i.e. Bear (the wolf/hunter of bees).
This is another reason why people see Biarki as Beowulf's 'cognate' (because of the names).
As for the king of the Danes, Hrothogar, he is consequently identified as Ro, or Roar, an uncle of Rolf Krake who have been known to reign in England at the time when Rolf's father Helge ruled Denmark.
Furthermore, the Swedish kings referenced in Beowulf is adequately matched with the alleged 5th and 6th century Svea kings in Ubsola:

A lot of the various names seemed to be used and re-used by different peoples. The Geats have been identified with quite a number of different peoples and areas - the Goths, the Jutes, the Gauts, etc., etc. (for good review of relevant discussion see the Chambers book referenced below). And as a learned fiction (see the Leake ref. below).
Whereever the Weder-Geats place their origin, it is supposedly (according to Beowulf) located only two nights sail-way from the Danes great hall Heorot. This, however, is just as well thought of to be a distance not totally reliable - which in turns leave the field open for various interpretations that accommodates the different views on where to place the Geats.
Roar is supposed to have founded Roskilde (e.g. Saxo Grammaticus Gesta Danorum), by which modern and middle age town in northern Själland (Zeeland), Denmark, also the ancient kingdom seat Leire was located. This then would seem appropriate a place for Hrothogar to have built the great hall of Heorot.

Here are some references:

Chambers, Raymond W. Beowulf: an introduction to the study of the poem with a discussion of the stories of Offa and Finn. Cambridge: Cambridge Uni. Press, 1921 (2nd rev. ed., 1932).
Leake, Jane Acomb. The Geats of Beowulf: a study in the geographical mythology of the Middle Ages. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1967.
Smithers, George V. 'The Geats in Beowulf'. Durham University Journal 63.2 (1971).