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13 Dec 2025
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Analysis of 'Mrs Midas' by Carol Ann Duffy
Erin Lawley
@eerinlawley
1 / 10
The Golden Transformation Begins
Picture this: you're having a normal evening at home when your husband suddenly gains the power to turn everything he touches into gold. That's exactly what happens to Mrs Midas on a late September evening, and it's the beginning of the end for their marriage.
The poem opens with a peaceful, domestic scene - Mrs Midas is unwinding with wine while dinner cooks. The relaxed atmosphere and warm kitchen imagery create a stark contrast with what's about to unfold. When she spots her husband in the garden snapping twigs that turn golden, her world changes forever.
The destructive nature of Mr Midas is established immediately - he's literally breaking things, which foreshadows how he'll break their relationship. The pear tree metaphor represents their growing life together, but when he casually plucks the pear (knowing it will turn to gold), it shows his complete lack of care for what they've built together.
Key Point: The seasonal setting of autumn symbolises things coming to an end - particularly their relationship.
Reality Hits Hard
Mrs Midas tries to make sense of what she's seeing, even wondering if he's putting up fairy lights. But when Mr Midas enters the house and the doorknobs gleam, reality becomes undeniable. His behaviour becomes increasingly arrogant - sitting "like a king on a burnished throne" with a face that's "strange, wild, vain."
The dinner scene becomes a nightmare. He can't eat the corn because it turns to "teeth of the rich" - a powerful metaphor showing how his greed literally prevents him from enjoying life's simple pleasures. When his wine glass transforms through "glass, goblet, golden chalice," Mrs Midas finally understands the full horror of the situation.
Her screaming marks the moment she realises their life together is over. The physical separation begins immediately - she makes him sit across the room and "keep his hands to himself," treating him like a misbehaving child. This loss of intimacy and touch becomes a central tragedy of the poem.
Key Point: Gold might seem valuable, but it "feeds no one" and "slakes no thirst" - it's ultimately worthless when it destroys human connection.
Separate Lives, Separate Beds
The physical separation intensifies as they move to separate beds. Mrs Midas barricades herself in, "near petrified" - a clever word choice since being petrified literally means turning to stone, reflecting her fear of being transformed. Meanwhile, Mr Midas turns the spare room into something resembling "the tomb of Tutankhamun" - a golden burial chamber that symbolises the death of their relationship.
Duffy contrasts their current situation with memories of "those halcyon days" when they were passionate, "unwrapping each other, rapidly, like presents." This nostalgic imagery makes their current loss even more heartbreaking. Mrs Midas now fears his "honeyed embrace" and "the kiss that would turn my lips to a work of art."
The dream sequence reveals another devastating loss - motherhood. She dreams of bearing his golden child but wakes to harsh reality. This emphasises Mr Midas's selfishness: he got his wish, but destroyed hers in the process.
Key Point: The contrast between past intimacy and present fear shows how completely Mr Midas's wish has destroyed their physical relationship.
The Final Separation
Mrs Midas reaches her limit and forces him to move out to their caravan "in the wilds" - treating him like a wild animal because of his "crazy, stupid choices." She drives him there under cover of darkness, showing her shame and embarrassment about his condition.
Her visits become increasingly rare as she witnesses the devastating effects of his wish. He grows thin from starvation and becomes delirious, claiming to hear "the music of Pan." When he starts hallucinating, that becomes "the last straw" for Mrs Midas - she finally cuts him out of her life completely.
The phrase "Pure selfishness" captures her bitter resentment. Mr Midas didn't just ruin his own life; he destroyed her future, their potential children, and everything they'd built together. His wish was entirely self-centred with no thought for the consequences.
Key Point: Mr Midas's mental deterioration from starvation shows that getting what you want can become your worst nightmare.
Living with Loss and Longing
The poem's ending is beautifully complex. Mrs Midas has sold everything and moved away, trying to build a new life. She's angry and resentful, but she can't completely let go. She thinks of him "in certain lights, dawn, late afternoon" - times when the golden light reminds her of what she's lost.
The final lines reveal the poem's emotional heart: "I miss most, even now, his hands, his warm hands on my skin, his touch." Despite everything, she mourns the physical intimacy they once shared. The repetition of "his hands" and "his touch" emphasises what Mr Midas's curse has stolen from them both.
This ending shows the complex nature of grief - you can be furious with someone while simultaneously missing them desperately. Mrs Midas has lost not just her husband, but her potential future as a mother and partner.
Key Point: The poem's final focus on "touch" contrasts with the entire narrative about avoiding his deadly hands - showing how love and loss can coexist.
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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.
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
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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
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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
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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!
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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.
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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
Analysis of 'Mrs Midas' by Carol Ann Duffy
Erin Lawley
@eerinlawley
Ever wondered what happens when someone gets exactly what they wish for? Carol Ann Duffy's "Mrs Midas" gives us the wife's perspective on the famous myth, exploring how one person's selfish desire can destroy everything they hold dear.
The Golden Transformation Begins
Picture this: you're having a normal evening at home when your husband suddenly gains the power to turn everything he touches into gold. That's exactly what happens to Mrs Midas on a late September evening, and it's the beginning of the end for their marriage.
The poem opens with a peaceful, domestic scene - Mrs Midas is unwinding with wine while dinner cooks. The relaxed atmosphere and warm kitchen imagery create a stark contrast with what's about to unfold. When she spots her husband in the garden snapping twigs that turn golden, her world changes forever.
The destructive nature of Mr Midas is established immediately - he's literally breaking things, which foreshadows how he'll break their relationship. The pear tree metaphor represents their growing life together, but when he casually plucks the pear (knowing it will turn to gold), it shows his complete lack of care for what they've built together.
Key Point: The seasonal setting of autumn symbolises things coming to an end - particularly their relationship.
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Reality Hits Hard
Mrs Midas tries to make sense of what she's seeing, even wondering if he's putting up fairy lights. But when Mr Midas enters the house and the doorknobs gleam, reality becomes undeniable. His behaviour becomes increasingly arrogant - sitting "like a king on a burnished throne" with a face that's "strange, wild, vain."
The dinner scene becomes a nightmare. He can't eat the corn because it turns to "teeth of the rich" - a powerful metaphor showing how his greed literally prevents him from enjoying life's simple pleasures. When his wine glass transforms through "glass, goblet, golden chalice," Mrs Midas finally understands the full horror of the situation.
Her screaming marks the moment she realises their life together is over. The physical separation begins immediately - she makes him sit across the room and "keep his hands to himself," treating him like a misbehaving child. This loss of intimacy and touch becomes a central tragedy of the poem.
Key Point: Gold might seem valuable, but it "feeds no one" and "slakes no thirst" - it's ultimately worthless when it destroys human connection.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Separate Lives, Separate Beds
The physical separation intensifies as they move to separate beds. Mrs Midas barricades herself in, "near petrified" - a clever word choice since being petrified literally means turning to stone, reflecting her fear of being transformed. Meanwhile, Mr Midas turns the spare room into something resembling "the tomb of Tutankhamun" - a golden burial chamber that symbolises the death of their relationship.
Duffy contrasts their current situation with memories of "those halcyon days" when they were passionate, "unwrapping each other, rapidly, like presents." This nostalgic imagery makes their current loss even more heartbreaking. Mrs Midas now fears his "honeyed embrace" and "the kiss that would turn my lips to a work of art."
The dream sequence reveals another devastating loss - motherhood. She dreams of bearing his golden child but wakes to harsh reality. This emphasises Mr Midas's selfishness: he got his wish, but destroyed hers in the process.
Key Point: The contrast between past intimacy and present fear shows how completely Mr Midas's wish has destroyed their physical relationship.
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The Final Separation
Mrs Midas reaches her limit and forces him to move out to their caravan "in the wilds" - treating him like a wild animal because of his "crazy, stupid choices." She drives him there under cover of darkness, showing her shame and embarrassment about his condition.
Her visits become increasingly rare as she witnesses the devastating effects of his wish. He grows thin from starvation and becomes delirious, claiming to hear "the music of Pan." When he starts hallucinating, that becomes "the last straw" for Mrs Midas - she finally cuts him out of her life completely.
The phrase "Pure selfishness" captures her bitter resentment. Mr Midas didn't just ruin his own life; he destroyed her future, their potential children, and everything they'd built together. His wish was entirely self-centred with no thought for the consequences.
Key Point: Mr Midas's mental deterioration from starvation shows that getting what you want can become your worst nightmare.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Living with Loss and Longing
The poem's ending is beautifully complex. Mrs Midas has sold everything and moved away, trying to build a new life. She's angry and resentful, but she can't completely let go. She thinks of him "in certain lights, dawn, late afternoon" - times when the golden light reminds her of what she's lost.
The final lines reveal the poem's emotional heart: "I miss most, even now, his hands, his warm hands on my skin, his touch." Despite everything, she mourns the physical intimacy they once shared. The repetition of "his hands" and "his touch" emphasises what Mr Midas's curse has stolen from them both.
This ending shows the complex nature of grief - you can be furious with someone while simultaneously missing them desperately. Mrs Midas has lost not just her husband, but her potential future as a mother and partner.
Key Point: The poem's final focus on "touch" contrasts with the entire narrative about avoiding his deadly hands - showing how love and loss can coexist.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
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.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Students love us — and so will you.
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4.8/5
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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