An Introduction to the Basic Aspects, p. In some older sources about the Midas myth, the king had mixed water and wine in order to make Silenus drunk e. Xenophon, Anabasis 1. The idea is that gold or in general money is only of use if it can be converted into something useful6, while Midas had looked for the means instead of the end and thereby losing the end.
This is the moral conclusion which Ovid draws in form of a proverbium the present tense of relevat may be related to the narrative or gnomic. But how can that be wealth of which a man may have a great abundance and yet perish with hunger, like Midas in the fable, whose insatiable prayer turned everything that was set before him into gold? Ovid has Midas use a series of three expressions in asking for mercy: da veniam; peccavimus; miserere, further emphasized by precor; Midas is truly desperate.
Certainly more Ovid than Midas is speaking here. Although it is not that easy: While the gift was granted immediately for an action already performed the hospitality to Silenus and his returning to Bacchus , for its removal another action is still required, as the next verses show.
If in is meant that Midas himself had eventually become golden, circumlitus may refer to this. Sardibus: Sardes here, according to Greek style, in plural : ancient capital of Lydia and residence of the king. This allows a reference to King Croesus of Lydia ca. The verb is masterfully chosen as it associates the getting wet of Midas with the golden color and quality that the river receives cf.
Gaius Iulius Hyginus ca. Musgrove reports that other versions of the story have the climax of Midas transforming his daughter into a golden statue Musgrove p. Is it the gold? Golden apples distract Atalanta in her running contest with Hippomenes in These are just a few examples that illustrate the danger of gold. On the other hand, there are other instances when gold does not bring about evil e. Is it imprudence?
This is the most obvious lesson that Ovid seems to teach, supported by the choice of his own vocabulary and judgment cf. But Midas does not even get cleverer afterwards cf. Once again Ovid has been playing games with his reader. Is it impiety? Though Midas begs for pardon , we already discarded the religious dimension and even the idea of punishment in the moral sense cf. It seems none of these three are the only or even the most important explanation.
Otis goes even so far as to conclude that the main problem, seen from the context in which the story is found, is that the ideal of human perfection is missed. And good poetry is never clear-cut, but allows different readings, gives each member of the audience the opportunity to draw the conclusions most fitting for oneself. Primary Texts Innes, M.
The Metamorphoses of Ovid. A New Translation. London: Penguin. Metamorphoses The Loeb Classical Library ed. Miller, Ed. A New Verse Translation. Raeburn, Trad. Ovidi Nasonis Metamorphoses, ed. Secondary Texts Anderson, W. Ovid's Metamorphoses, Books Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. He wished, he had the power of golden touch. A wise god granted his wish. Once there was a king called Midas. In spite of having vast wealth, he was extremely fond of gold.
The most famous King Midas is popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn. Join Co-production practitioners network. Sign Up or Sign In. Powered by. Badges Report an Issue Terms of Service. Money was his obsession. One day, Dionyssus, the god of wine and revelry, passed through the kingdom of Midas. One of his companions, a satyr named Silenus, got delayed along the way. Silenus got tired and decided to take a nap in the famous rose gardens surrounding the palace of king Midas.
There, he was found by the king, who recognized him instantly and invited him to spend a few days at his palace. After that, Midas took him to Dionyssus. The god of celebration, very grateful to Midas for his kindness, promised Midas to satisfy any wish of him. Midas though for a while and then he said: I hope that everything I touch becomes gold. Dionyssus warned the king to think well about his wish, but Midas was positive.
Dionyssus could do nothing else and promised the king that from that following day everything he touched would turn into gold. The next day, Midas, woke up eager to see if his wish would become true.
He extended his arm touching a small table that immediately turned into gold. Midas jumped with happiness! He then touched a chair, the carpet, the door, his bathtub, a table and so he kept on running in his madness all over his palace until he got exhausted and happy at the same time!
He sat at the table to have breakfast and took a rose between his hands to smell its fragrance. When he touched it, the rose became gold. I will have to absorb the fragrance without touching the roses, I suppose, he thought in disappointment. He touched other food. Whatever he touched turned to gold. He tried leaning over and ripping a piece of meat with his teeth, but that did not help. The meat turned to gold in his mouth. The king's eyes filled with fear.
He knew if he could not eat, he would starve. This was terrible. The king did not know what to do. King Midas wandered sadly out to his rose garden. His little daughter was in the garden, picking roses. When she saw her father, she ran into his arms for a hug and turned to gold.
King Midas hung his head and cried. As his tears fell on his precious roses they turned to gold, but the king did not care. He did not care about his roses or his gold or himself. Dionysus, hear my prayer, the king begged.
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