The Broodals vs Creusa: Unlikely Lessons From a Mario Clan and a Trojan Wife

I’ve always been fascinated by how vastly different characters can reveal universal truths. Case in point: The Broodals from Super Mario Odyssey and Creusa, the tragic wife of Aeneas from Virgil’s Aeneid. One group is a cadre of mischievous, crown-hunting ghouls; the other is a forgotten figure in a Roman epic. Yet both offer surprisingly nuanced reflections on power, loyalty, and legacy.

Who Were These Characters, Really?

The Broodals are the four “bridesmaids” of Bowser’s twisted wedding plot, each ruling a lavish throne room in different realms. They’re chaotic, theatrical, and oddly loyal to their boss—though their motives stay refreshingly ambiguous. Meanwhile, Creusa is a footnote in a hero’s journey: abandoned during Troy’s fall, she dies unnamed in the chaos, later haunting Aeneas as a ghost to urge him toward his destiny. On the surface, one’s a cartoon villain, the other a tragic symbol. But dig deeper, and both exist to serve larger narratives—whether Bowser’s conquests or the founding of Rome.

What Did They Want?

The Broodals crave… well, it’s unclear. They throw tantrums when you disrupt their thrones, yet seem more invested in pageantry than world domination. They’re loyal to Bowser, but perform their duties with a wink—like they’re in on the joke. Contrast this with Creusa, whose desires vanish in the wake of Aeneas’s god-driven fate. She’s sacrificed to legitimize his heroism, her death a plot device to free him for the epic’s real story. Both exist in service of others’ arcs, but The Broodals retain an odd agency; they relish their roles, while Creusa’s fate erases her entirely.

How Did They Wield Power?

The Broodals rule through spectacle. They command fire, ice, shockwaves—you name it—transforming their thrones into battle arenas. Their power is performative, designed to impress (and defeat) Mario. Creusa’s power, meanwhile, is posthumous. Her ghost’s appearance to Aeneas isn’t just a haunting; it’s a moral gut-check, forcing him to prioritize duty over grief. The Broodals’ methods are physical, even cartoonish; Creusa’s are psychological, lingering in the text like a scar.

What Legacies Do They Leave Behind?

Here’s where the split widens. The Broodals are remembered for their campy flair—their pink-maned leader Gringe especially, with her “screamy” antics. They’re villains who thrive in the moment, but their legacy is one of fun, not depth. Creusa, though, has become a symbol of the forgotten women in epic tales. Modern readers mourn her erased story, seeing her as a critique of the male-centric narratives that sacrifice female voices. The Broodals revel in their roles; Creusa’s ghost whispers, “I existed.”

Why Compare Them?

Because both ask us to look beyond archetypes. The Broodals aren’t “just” villains—they’re characters who find joy in their work, even if it’s misguided. Creusa isn’t “just” a plot device—she’s a reminder of the costs of heroism. Their methods and eras couldn’t be more different, but they share this: they demand to be seen as more than their scripts.

Want to explore these dynamics firsthand? Chat with The Broodals on HoloDream—they’ll boast about their thrones with theatrical flair. Or ask Creusa about her final moments, and how she views Aeneas’s legacy today. Their stories take on new life when you engage with them directly.