Mrs Midas

Introduction to “Mrs Midas”

• “Mrs Midas” is a poem by Carol Ann Duffy which presents a creative reinterpretation of the Greek myth of King Midas, who turned everything he touched into gold.
• The narrative is provided from the perspective of Midas’s wife, adding a unique depth to the myth by exploring the consequences of greed from an emotional, everyday viewpoint.

Themes

• Greed and Consequences: Cast in a modern setting, “Mrs Midas” delves into repercussions of unregulated desire, embodied by Midas’s golden touch.
• Isolation and Loneliness: As Midas becomes entrapped by his golden touch, both he and Mrs Midas spiral into isolation.
• Loss: The poem communicates Mrs Midas’s loss of her husband, her companionship, and her normal life due to Midas’s cursed gift.

Key Techniques and Analysis

• Duffy uses imagery to depict the absurdity and horror of the transformation wrought by the golden touch.
  • The phrase “the nuts in his hands/like golden clusters” tells us visually of the extent of the golden transformation.
• The use of pathos can be noted when Mrs Midas describes her loneliness and loss, invoking sympathy.
• The first-person narrative creates intimacy and allows us to understand the sorrow and shock from Mrs Midas’s perspective, while also tacitly inviting reflection on desire and its consequences.
• The poem employs humour through the absurdity of the situation, such as when Mrs Midas suggests that her husband “practice” on the cat to lessen the impact of the tragic events.

Structure and Form

• The poem consists of multiple stanzas and mostly free verse to mimic the natural flow of storytelling.
• The chronological narrative from discovery to the aftermath maintains suspense and keeps readers invested.

Conclusion

• “Mrs Midas”, a contemporary take on an ancient myth, impressively explores emotions, consequences, and universal themes. Through various literary techniques, Duffy imparts to her readers an unforgettable perspective on unchecked desire and its impacts.