Mrs Midas: Stanza Seven to Nine

Overview of Stanza Seven to Nine in “Mrs Midas”

In stanzas seven to nine, Mrs Midas recounts the realization of the horrifying consequences of her husband’s wish, as he inadvertently transforms items to gold in their domestic environment. It serves as a turning point in the narrative.
The seventh stanza begins on a note of dread mixed with fascination as Mr. Midas turns the door handle to gold.
In the eighth stanza, Mrs Midas describes a fleeting moment of hope; she initially believes she can steer her husband’s destructive touch towards productive ends.
By the ninth stanza, complete horror at the unstoppable consequences of the golden touch sets in as family, represented by the family pet, is directly threatened.

Key Aspects of Stanza Seven to Nine in “Mrs Midas”

Irony features heavily in these stanzas. The very attribute that signified wealth and success has now become a source of dread and despair for the couple.
The poet uses imagery and symbolism effectively to showcase the frightening implications of the golden touch. The golden trout in the net symbolise how greed entraps us, while the golden porridge symbolises the destruction of warmth, comfort, and sustenance.
Duffy illustrates desperation and futile optimism in these stanzas with Mrs. Midas’ failed attempts to keep the gold effect under control.
The ninth stanza evokes strong empathy for Mrs Midas as she realizes the irreversible and far-reaching consequences of her husband’s greed.

Analysis of Language and Imagery in Stanza Seven to Nine of “Mrs Midas”

Powerful, vivid language is used in these stanzas to bring out the horror of the situation. Phrases like “ghastly gleam” and “blazed with a hard, gem-like flame” express the terrifying consequences of Midas’s touch.
Descriptive phrases such as “beauty of his smile touched by possession” bring forth the negative implications of material obsession.
The metaphor of isolated marital bed highlights the marital and emotional separation caused by Midas’ greed.
Alliteration and assonance in these stanzas, such as “He toyed with…”, “He went to…”, and “too late…”, emphasise the emotional intensity of the narrative.

In these stanzas, Carol Ann Duffy exposes the destructive power of greed on personal relationships, comfort, and a sense of safety in one’s own home. The golden touch, initially dreamed of as a blessing, is revealed as a relentless curse.