Broadsea and Laodamas: two brothers of little reverence

Broadsea and Ladamas are men of many setbacks. First of all, they believe that the winning of a sport or of a game is the greatest glory life has to offer. As Laodamas says in book 8 page 196 line 170-171 “What greater glory attends a man, while he’s alive,/than what he wins with his racing feet and striving hands ?” According to Laodamas, winning is a package deal. With winning, one does not only get their own personal gratification of the satisfaction of beating the opponent, but also many other great things come with it as well. Why was Broadsea so eager to have Odysseus go against him in games ? Why does he go to such extremes like, on line 184, “mocking him to his face.” Is it because he has little self-control when it comes to expressing hi s jealousy and intimidation ? There could be many reasons as to why brothers, sons of royal power, would act in such an immature and childish manner. Although the current “day for songs and contests” is a day of much excitement, the brothers enthusiasm, especially Broadsea’s, went a bit too far. Odysseus countered Broadsea’s attitude with a speech of much authority, composure, and overall complete dominance. Not to mention his prevailing performance of the games.  Alcinous, father of Broadsea and Ladamas, host of Odysseus, not only agreed with Odysseus’ speeches and actions, but also apologizes for his son’s behavior on lines 267-272 of book 8:

“Stranger, friend— nothing you say among us seems ungracious.

You simply want to display the gifts you’re born with,

Stung that a youngster march up to you in the games,

Mocking ridiculing your prowess as no one would

Who has some sense of fit and proper speech.”


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