Poetry

Mrs Midas

Summary of the poem:

• "Mrs. Midas" is a poem from Carol Ann Duffy's collection "The World's Wife," presenting the perspective of King Midas' wife from Greek mythology.
• The poem explores the consequences of King Midas' foolish wish, granted by the god Dionysus, which turns everything he touches into gold.
• Mrs. Midas narrates her growing alienation from her husband as he becomes consumed by greed and isolation, ultimately leading to the disintegration of their relationship.

Inspiration for the poem:

• The inspiration for the poem comes from the myth of King Midas in Ovid's "Metamorphoses," where King Midas is granted the golden touch by the god Dionysus.

Summary of each stanza:

Stanza 1: In the opening stanza, Mrs. Midas is depicted in her tranquil kitchen while her husband, King Midas, stands in the garden. It establishes the contrast between her peaceful evening and his mysterious actions.

Stanza 2: Here, Mrs. Midas witnesses her husband's newfound power to turn ordinary objects into gold. The tone shifts from whimsical to serious as the consequences of this ability become apparent.

Stanza 3: As King Midas continues to transform objects in the house into gold, Mrs. Midas becomes increasingly anxious. She also recalls the historical reference to the "Field of the Cloth of Gold," questioning the significance of her husband's transformation.

Stanza 4: Mrs. Midas serves dinner, which includes corn on the cob turned to gold by her husband's touch. The impracticality of his gift becomes evident, and alliteration highlights the gravity of the situation.

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Poetry

Stanza 5: This stanza emphasizes the physical and emotional distance growing between Mrs. Midas and her husband. She fears his touch and acknowledges the end of their physical intimacy.

Stanza 6: Mrs. Midas takes precautions to protect their cat and humorously notes that her husband can at least quit smoking due to his transformed cigarettes. It underscores the irony of his situation.

Stanza 7: Highlighting the isolation and fear, Mrs. Midas continues to distance herself from her husband. Their relationship deteriorates as she barricades herself against his touch.

Stanza 8: Mrs. Midas expresses her sorrow at losing the chance to have a real baby due to her husband's greed. She questions who can live with a "heart of gold" and presents a disturbing image of a golden child.

Stanza 9: King Midas is forced to move out, and Mrs. Midas visits him sporadically, resenting his selfish wish. It marks the beginning of their emotional separation.

Stanzas 10-11: Mrs. Midas encounters golden items in her surroundings as she visits her husband in isolation. The final stanza conveys her anger at his selfishness and her sense of loss for the man she once loved.

Form of the poem:

• "Mrs. Midas" is written as a dramatic monologue from the perspective of Mrs. Midas.
• The poem consists of eleven stanzas with irregular line lengths, reflecting the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the couple's life.

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Poetry

Themes:

Greed:

• King Midas' desire for endless wealth drives the narrative.
• Mrs. Midas criticizes the emptiness of material wealth, highlighting that gold "feeds no one" and "slakes no thirst."

Consequences:

• The poem explores the negative consequences of King Midas' wish on both himself and his wife.
• It shows how his selfishness and greed result in isolation, loss of physical contact, and emotional deterioration.

Images:

Transformation of objects into gold:

• Objects like pears and dinner utensils turn into gold when touched by King Midas.
• These images illustrate the destructive power of his wish and the uselessness of material wealth.

The image of a golden child:

• Mrs. Midas imagines having a child made of gold, highlighting the distortion of familial love and the dehumanizing effect of greed.

Style Techniques:

Alliteration:

• Alliteration is used for rhythmic effect, such as in the repetition of "p" sounds in "pluck," "pear," and "putting."
• It enhances tension and structure in the poem.

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Poetry

Enjambment:

• Enjambment occurs when lines are cut off before their natural stopping point.
• It forces the reader to move quickly through the text, mirroring the urgency and chaos in the narrative.

Language Techniques:

Metaphor:

• The metaphor of gold is used to symbolize material wealth and its destructive consequences.
• Mrs. Midas compares her husband's touch to a "kiss that would turn [her] lips to a work of art," highlighting the dehumanizing aspect of greed.

Irony:

• Irony is present when Mrs. Midas sarcastically describes her husband's newfound ability as a "gift."
• It emphasizes the negative impact of his wish and the futility of material possessions.

The poem "Mrs. Midas" masterfully combines humor, tragedy, and social commentary to explore themes of greed and its consequences, using various poetic and language techniques to engage the reader.

Personal reflection

1. How does the poem challenge your view of the consequences of material wealth and greed in relationships?

2. What emotions does the poem evoke in you when you consider the transformation of objects into gold and its impact on the characters?

3. How does the poem's portrayal of Mrs. Midas' evolving feelings towards her husband prompt you to reflect on the complexities of human connections and changing relationships?