Who stated, “The great man of the age is the one who can put into words the will of his age, tell his age, what its will be and accomplish it. What he does is the heart and essence of his age; he actualises his age?”

Correct option is B

The given quote is attributed to Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, the renowned German philosopher. Hegel believed that history unfolds through a dialectical process and that “great men” play a critical role in embodying the spirit of the age (Zeitgeist). According to Hegel, such individuals are able to perceive the historical needs of their time and act decisively to fulfill them, thereby shaping history.
This view aligns with Hegel’s philosophy of history, where world-historical individuals (like Napoleon) are seen as instruments of the World Spirit in realizing freedom and rational development across time.

Information Booster:

Hegel’s philosophy emphasizes that history is rational and purposeful, driven by the realization of human freedom. In his Lectures on the Philosophy of History, he argued that significant leaders don’t just influence their time — they embody it. Their actions are not just personal achievements but are manifestations of the collective will of their age. Thus, a "great man" is not just powerful; he is historically necessary and philosophically significant.
This idea influenced later thinkers and politicians, especially in the 19th century, and remains foundational in discussions of historical determinism.