...  setting, through the perspective of Midas' wife. This poem illustrates how one's choices and actions can impact upon another. When Midas had his wish, of everything he touches turning into gold, granted he felt powerful and delighted, "like a king on a burnished throne". This didn't last long, for the couple realised that his new ability meant they were unable to touch ... image of Midas and his piles of useless metal. By comparing Midas to an Egyptian pharaoh who died very young, hinting that he too will die young and surrounded with gold, Duffy stirs a sense of sympathy f...

• Word Count: 1489
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... . In a direct reference to her male relationships, Plath writes after her suicide attempt; 'I am your opus/ I am your valuable/ The pure gold baby'. In doing so she uses language and diction of value such as the 'pure gold baby' to describe the commodification of her existence by the masculine overseers of her life who seek to conform her to an ... ...

• Word Count: 2183
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... root of all evil" and brings sorrow as well as joy. Literally, the power of the subject's gaze is to leave objects as if transfigured from base matter into gold; this transformative power recalls the Greek myth of King Midas, who was blessed by the god Dionysus with the gift of turning all he touched into ... gold, yet regretted this decision once he accidentally transformed his daughter. Like Midas, the subject's station of power over others (financially, politically, physically, emotionally) is graciously bestowed by the Powers That ... ...

• Word Count: 1124
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... a hundred eyes" is another decadent image which suggests wealth and beauty and again harks from the book of Solomon. The regal theme is continued with the reference to silver and gold, and "fleurs-de-lys" which were heraldic medieval images. All of these almost historic images and suggestions imply a timeless love which embodies all the qualities of mutual adoration explored and ... ...

• Word Count: 2526
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... monologue is also reflective as the individual persona speaks about their past childhood. Duffy uses child-like language to explore the mind of a young child "sugar-paper" coloured shapes" " good gold star". Duffy uses senses such as sight, touch and sound to convey the happy memories. The individual explores memories of their school days, being in classroom feelings of elation, security ... ...

• Word Count: 768
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate