the most conventional interpretation of the poem is as a lament spoken in the first person by an unnamed woman who is or has in the past been involved with two men whose names are "wulf" and "eadwacer" respectively. both of these are attested anglo-saxon names, and this interpretation is the basis for the common titling of the poem (which is not based on any other manuscript evidence). however, even this point proves controversial. some interpretations favour a single male character, and virtually all commentaries acknowledge the possibility, though this is the less orthodox of the two views. in recognition of this fact, for example, preeminent old english scholar michael alexander has chosen the title ""wulf"" for his own reproduction of it in "the earliest english poems" (penguin, 1973). it has also been known to be titled simply as "eadwacer". the title "wulf and eadwacer", however, though apocryphal, has gained such widespread acceptance over time that in the majority of texts it is accepted regardless of the treatment of the titular name(s) and character(s).