Subjects
Maths
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Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
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Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
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English
8 Dec 2025
176
4 pages
km @0km
Carol Ann Duffy's "Mrs Midas" gives us the untold story of King Midas's wife, showing how his famous... Show more
Mrs Midas starts by painting a picture of domestic bliss - she's unwinding with wine while cooking dinner, creating a cosy atmosphere that's about to be shattered. The kitchen feels alive and welcoming, with "steamy breath gently blanching the windows," showing us the warmth of their home life.
Everything changes when she spots her husband under the pear tree with a golden twig in his hand. At first, she can't believe what she's seeing, wondering if he's putting up fairy lights. The casual way he plucks a pear that turns into gold shows how thoughtlessly he's made this wish.
When Midas enters the house, the doorknobs gleam gold, and he sits "like a king on a burnished throne." His face looks "strange, wild, vain," revealing how the power has already changed him. Mrs Midas's shocked question - "What in the name of God is going on?" - captures every reader's reaction perfectly.
Key insight The poem immediately contrasts gentle domesticity with the harsh reality of Midas's transformation, showing how one selfish decision can destroy a peaceful life.
Despite everything that's happening, Mrs Midas tries to maintain normal routines by serving dinner. But the horror becomes real when Midas tries to eat corn on the cob and ends up "spitting out the teeth of the rich" - he literally can't eat because everything turns to gold.
The wine scene is particularly powerful. Mrs Midas pours with a shaking hand and watches as the glass transforms into a "goblet, golden chalice" as he drinks. The religious imagery of "chalice" hints at this being a poisoned blessing - something that seems wonderful but brings hidden suffering.
Their new reality hits hard separate beds, locked away pets, moved phones. Mrs Midas has to make her husband "sit on the other side of the room and keep his hands to himself." The practicality of these changes shows how completely their relationship has been destroyed.
The brutal truth about gold becomes clear - "It feeds no one... slakes no thirst." All that glitters really isn't gold when you can't eat, drink, or touch the person you love.
Key insight Midas's wish doesn't just change objects - it fundamentally destroys his ability to participate in basic human experiences like eating and physical affection.
The physical separation escalates from separate beds to Mrs Midas barricading her door, "near petrified" - a clever word choice since she's both terrified and literally at risk of becoming a golden statue. Meanwhile, Midas turns the spare room into something resembling "the tomb of Tutankhamun."
Mrs Midas mourns their lost physical relationship with heartbreaking nostalgia. They were once "passionate," "unwrapping each other, rapidly, like presents, fast food." Now she fears "his honeyed embrace, the kiss that would turn my lips into a work of art" - beautiful language that masks the deadly reality.
Her nightmare about bearing his golden child is genuinely disturbing. The baby has "perfect ore limbs" and "amber eyes holding their pupils like flies." This dream reveals her desperate longing for motherhood and shows how Midas's wish has stolen even the possibility of children from them.
The inevitable happens "So he had to move out." She drives him to a caravan "under the cover of dark," treating him like a shameful secret. The woman who once shared everything with her husband now refers to herself as "the woman who married the fool who wished for gold."
Key insight The poem shows how Midas's wish doesn't just affect him - it destroys his wife's dreams of motherhood and forces her into complete isolation from the person she loves most.
Mrs Midas's visits become increasingly rare as she sees the environmental damage Midas causes - golden trout on the grass, a hare hanging from a tree described as "a beautiful lemon mistake." Even his footprints glisten, showing how he can't exist anywhere without destroying the natural world.
Midas himself is wasting away, "thin, delirious," claiming to hear "the music of Pan from the woods." This reference to the isolated god Pan reflects how completely cut off Midas has become from human society. When he begs her to listen, she decides "That was the last straw."
What hurts Mrs Midas most isn't the "idiocy or greed" but "the lack of thought for me." This line cuts to the heart of the poem - it's not just about a foolish wish, but about how selfishness destroys relationships. She sells everything and moves away, starting a completely new life.
The poem ends with her still grieving what she's lost. She thinks of him "in certain lights, dawn, late afternoon" and misses "most, even now, his hands, his warm hands on my skin, his touch." The repetition of "hands" and "touch" emphasises that human connection - not gold - is what truly matters.
Key insight The real tragedy isn't Midas's curse, but how his selfishness robbed both of them of love, intimacy, and the simple human pleasure of physical touch.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
2
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
km
@0km
Carol Ann Duffy's "Mrs Midas" gives us the untold story of King Midas's wife, showing how his famous golden touch destroys their marriage and her dreams of motherhood. The poem reveals the devastating personal cost of greed through the eyes... Show more
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Mrs Midas starts by painting a picture of domestic bliss - she's unwinding with wine while cooking dinner, creating a cosy atmosphere that's about to be shattered. The kitchen feels alive and welcoming, with "steamy breath gently blanching the windows," showing us the warmth of their home life.
Everything changes when she spots her husband under the pear tree with a golden twig in his hand. At first, she can't believe what she's seeing, wondering if he's putting up fairy lights. The casual way he plucks a pear that turns into gold shows how thoughtlessly he's made this wish.
When Midas enters the house, the doorknobs gleam gold, and he sits "like a king on a burnished throne." His face looks "strange, wild, vain," revealing how the power has already changed him. Mrs Midas's shocked question - "What in the name of God is going on?" - captures every reader's reaction perfectly.
Key insight: The poem immediately contrasts gentle domesticity with the harsh reality of Midas's transformation, showing how one selfish decision can destroy a peaceful life.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Despite everything that's happening, Mrs Midas tries to maintain normal routines by serving dinner. But the horror becomes real when Midas tries to eat corn on the cob and ends up "spitting out the teeth of the rich" - he literally can't eat because everything turns to gold.
The wine scene is particularly powerful. Mrs Midas pours with a shaking hand and watches as the glass transforms into a "goblet, golden chalice" as he drinks. The religious imagery of "chalice" hints at this being a poisoned blessing - something that seems wonderful but brings hidden suffering.
Their new reality hits hard: separate beds, locked away pets, moved phones. Mrs Midas has to make her husband "sit on the other side of the room and keep his hands to himself." The practicality of these changes shows how completely their relationship has been destroyed.
The brutal truth about gold becomes clear - "It feeds no one... slakes no thirst." All that glitters really isn't gold when you can't eat, drink, or touch the person you love.
Key insight: Midas's wish doesn't just change objects - it fundamentally destroys his ability to participate in basic human experiences like eating and physical affection.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The physical separation escalates from separate beds to Mrs Midas barricading her door, "near petrified" - a clever word choice since she's both terrified and literally at risk of becoming a golden statue. Meanwhile, Midas turns the spare room into something resembling "the tomb of Tutankhamun."
Mrs Midas mourns their lost physical relationship with heartbreaking nostalgia. They were once "passionate," "unwrapping each other, rapidly, like presents, fast food." Now she fears "his honeyed embrace, the kiss that would turn my lips into a work of art" - beautiful language that masks the deadly reality.
Her nightmare about bearing his golden child is genuinely disturbing. The baby has "perfect ore limbs" and "amber eyes holding their pupils like flies." This dream reveals her desperate longing for motherhood and shows how Midas's wish has stolen even the possibility of children from them.
The inevitable happens: "So he had to move out." She drives him to a caravan "under the cover of dark," treating him like a shameful secret. The woman who once shared everything with her husband now refers to herself as "the woman who married the fool who wished for gold."
Key insight: The poem shows how Midas's wish doesn't just affect him - it destroys his wife's dreams of motherhood and forces her into complete isolation from the person she loves most.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Mrs Midas's visits become increasingly rare as she sees the environmental damage Midas causes - golden trout on the grass, a hare hanging from a tree described as "a beautiful lemon mistake." Even his footprints glisten, showing how he can't exist anywhere without destroying the natural world.
Midas himself is wasting away, "thin, delirious," claiming to hear "the music of Pan from the woods." This reference to the isolated god Pan reflects how completely cut off Midas has become from human society. When he begs her to listen, she decides "That was the last straw."
What hurts Mrs Midas most isn't the "idiocy or greed" but "the lack of thought for me." This line cuts to the heart of the poem - it's not just about a foolish wish, but about how selfishness destroys relationships. She sells everything and moves away, starting a completely new life.
The poem ends with her still grieving what she's lost. She thinks of him "in certain lights, dawn, late afternoon" and misses "most, even now, his hands, his warm hands on my skin, his touch." The repetition of "hands" and "touch" emphasises that human connection - not gold - is what truly matters.
Key insight: The real tragedy isn't Midas's curse, but how his selfishness robbed both of them of love, intimacy, and the simple human pleasure of physical touch.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
2
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology