Page 2: The Aftermath and Reflection
The second page of Carol Ann Duffy's "Mrs Midas" delves deeper into the consequences of Midas' golden touch on their relationship and daily life. The poem continues to explore themes of isolation, loss, and the true value of human connection.
Mrs Midas takes precautions to protect herself and their possessions, creating physical distance between them. This is symbolized by her making Midas sit on the other side of the room and keeping his hands to himself, representing the emotional chasm that has opened in their relationship.
Highlight: The line "I locked the cat in the cellar. I moved the phone." emphasizes the extent to which their lives have been disrupted and the need to protect even the smallest aspects of their normal existence.
Duffy injects a touch of dark humor into the situation with Mrs Midas' comment about Midas being able to give up smoking, highlighting her attempt to find any silver lining in their dire circumstances.
The poem then shifts to a more reflective tone as Mrs Midas contemplates the nature of wishes and the true value of gold. Duffy uses rich language and allusions to emphasize the futility of Midas' wish:
Quote: "It feeds no one; aurum, soft, untarnishable; slakes no thirst."
Vocabulary: "Aurum" - The Latin word for gold, adding a sense of timelessness and universality to the theme.
The stanza ends with a powerful and disturbing dream sequence, where Mrs Midas imagines bearing Midas' child with "perfect ore limbs" and "amber eyes." This vivid imagery underscores the all-encompassing nature of Midas' curse and its potential to affect future generations.
Example: The dream of a golden child serves as a metaphor for the way Midas' greed has corrupted even the most natural and intimate aspects of their life together.
The final lines of this page reveal the complete breakdown of their relationship, with Mrs Midas taking drastic measures to protect herself:
Quote: "Separate beds. In fact, I put a chair against my door, near petrified."
This physical barrier symbolizes the emotional and intimate distance that has grown between them, as Mrs Midas fears "his honeyed embrace" that would turn her to a "work of art." Duffy's use of the word "honeyed" here is particularly effective, playing on the double meaning of something sweet but also potentially dangerous.
The page concludes with a poignant reflection on their past relationship, described as "unwrapping each other, rapidly, like presents, fast food." This metaphor emphasizes the contrast between their former passion and their current state of fear and isolation, highlighting the true cost of Midas' wish.
