Close Critical Analysis of Mrs Midas Essay

In Mrs Midas, Carol Ann Duffy takes the well-known story of King Midas from Ancient Greek mythology and places it in a modern context from the wifes perspective. Originally, the story is ab forth King Midas and the power he possesses that turns everything he touches into gold, which leads him to ultimately realise that wealth al hotshot burnt make him happy stock-still unlimited gold. The moral of the King Midas story is that you cant buy happiness, and also to be blow-by-blow what you wish for as greed is sure to overcome you.This is where the afford twenty-four hour period expression The Midas Touch derives from content everything a person does is successful and profit equal to(p) as everything in modern society seems to be funds orientated. Duffy implies another meaning to the story of King Midas as in Mrs Midas, Midas is portrayed as the modern day grazeing man who neglects his wife for success and wealth also reflecting the increasing number of couples having a divor ces nowadays.The rudi manpowertary theme of the poem is slightly the husbands ungenerousness destroying marriage as men atomic number 18 associated with congruous too involved in work so neglect their wives/families. He toyed with his spoon, then mine, then with the knives, the forks the angle of dip of objects that hes turning into gold illustrates the obsession men have with making money out of continuous successes they have like Midas greed it seems addictive as they keep wanting more and more. Toyed implies that hes enjoying it he enjoys universe the alleged money-maker so sees no harm in what hes doing. Its a flirtatious reference as if hes using his male sex activity to get round his wife this also may reflect how ambitious and prosperous men are perceived as more attractive by women (dep give upency so ensures security).Midas selfishness is highlighted when his wife describes her dream I dreamt I bore his child she can only dream of having his children as the reality is shell neer be able to. Its ironic how a wifes ordinary dream of having a child cant come veritable when her husbands senseless dream of turning everything into gold does Duffy contrasts mens lust for materialism with womens needs for simple things much(prenominal) as family. His selfishness is emphasised as because of his foolish actions, his wife wont be able to accomplish these simple things hes already attained many successes it seems yet hes asking for more. My dream- draw burned in my breasts milk that should be there is left unused so is causing her pain as shes never going to feed this child, theres also a sense of longing from her unfulfilled aspirations of motherhood. Shes never going to experience having a family (with Midas), which all married couples deserve to do.Following on from his never-failing desires, But who has wishes granted? Him. displays how no one actually has their wishes come true only Midas could make this happen. The black-and-blue tone in whic h this is said suggests that hes always had a greedy nature the complete stop stressing the bluntness of it as if, actually, shes not so surprised that he was capable of doing such a thing. Her husband didnt til now consider her when he made the wish he was that selfish he couldnt stop to think about how this would impact of his wife. mayhap this is imitating how in reality, men male parentt always feel the need to consult their wives before making a decision as they feel in charge wearing the trousers in the relationship means that what they say, goes.The reader knows that the couple were in love, but Mrs Midas now fears her husband because of his power. We were passionate then, in those prospering days implies that they did love each other, halcyon suggesting that it mayve been exciting young love as it was an early idyllic stage of their relationship yet they were in love which is now questionable since shes afraid of him. Near petrified/now I feared his sweet-smelling embr ace portrays how Midas has subconsciously turned himself into something else a monster and as a result his wife is scared of him and what he could do to her. Honeyed embrace sounds comforting a soothing hug thatll ensure everythings alright, but really it means something completely different its this embrace that will turn her into one of his gold pieces end her life so now she fears him more than anything.This poem very much seems to read men as having dominating power over women. When Midas sat in that chair like a king on a burnished potful his status is represented as man of the admit, putting him in light of the original King Midas. Burnished proposes that it isnt any old stern but one polished to perfection, again signifying the lust men have towards a materialistic lifestyle. Mrs Midas feels mingled therefore helpless, what in the name of God is going on? He started to laugh. displays Midas taking advantage of her ignorance, enjoying the saucy power he possesses. Laugh suggests that hes pleased with himself and doesnt really care about the consequences of what hes done.Woman being under the influence of male dominance is shown through Mrs Midas esteem and ordinary lifestyle. He asked where was the wine. I poured with a shaking hand shes acting the stereotypical wife who stays at home obeying the husbands orders. The clich of women being the usual housewife is therefore present as well The vegetables cooked/I served up the meal implies she does the cooking for them on a regular basis, as this is part of her daily routine. This is mirrored by the clear structure of stanzas, indicating the ordinary and boring life shed had the structures fixed and predictable. The absence of success for the wife also displays how women arent expected to work and achieve things for themselves.However, there is a slight suggestion to women maintaining some sort of power too. The whole prognosis of the wife leave the husband puts women into a different light, p roving that Midas doesnt control everything Mrs Midas does. So he had to happen upon out, shes made the final decision and he listened to her, he also sat in the back of car which illustrates his decline in status from sitting on a burnished throne. She leaves him, I sold the contents of the house and came down here indicates that shes taken a al-Qaeda and even made money from it the only achievement it seems that Mrs Midas has attained, is as a result of breaking up with her husband. This emulates how women dont need to depend on men for success they are capable of being independent and earning a living for themselves.Overall, still it seems that males possess overriding power over females. Despite Mrs Midas leaving Midas, it was fundamentally him who caused the marriage to end. She felt incompetent because of his power, so knew it was crucial to get away from him. At the end of the poem Mrs Midas admits that she misses him, revealing he still has a hold on her emotionally. I mis s most, even nowhis touch. implies she misses his humanity and what they wouldve taken for granted before the physical side to their relationship, and of course with that the love they shared. Perhaps this reflects another negative stereotype of women where theyre seen as being too emotionally attached Mrs Midas seems to be in love with Midas even now despite everything and him turning into a foolish, greedy monster. She doesnt care for the golden Midas touch that destroyed their love (which ironically is a positive association), but the true human Midas touch that loved her in return.