"Mrs Midas" is a revisionist version of the story of King Midas told from the female point of view: Traditionally, this ancient Greek myth was about a man who could turn everything into gold with a touch. This poem explores the sadness Mrs. Midas feels about her inability to feel her husband's touch, calling attention to the anguish, annoyance, and disgust she feels for him regarding his greed. This poem is especially interesting for feminist critics, since it is possible that Midas is a strong-willed person who does not let his spouse ruin his life, as he runs away and lives without him. However, there is another reading, that her husband controls her emotions and that all she wants is a loving and rather traditional husband. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay From the beginning, the voice that Duffy prioritizes is that of Mrs. Midas, who tells the intended story from her point of view. This tactic would interest feminist critics, since in literature women are sometimes voiceless or are only heard behind the men closest to them; however, it is clear that Mrs. Midas is in control and tells her story with some autonomy. Through his humor and metaphors, we are able to understand the breakdown of his marriage and the idea that "wealth isn't everything" in a different way than the usual King Midas story conveys this idea. Mrs. Midas can be seen to be defying society's demand for "feminine behavior," as Simone de Beauvoir would say, as she "pours a glass of wine." This action shows the lack of interest in the idea that women are not meant to drink. The way the poem is introduced so casually -- "It was the end of September. I had just spilled a glass of wine..." -- gives the poem an air of mystery. Yet, when we realize that we is recounting a difficult time in her life, the ease seems like a strength, as one might normally assume that a divorce or separation is always a difficult topic to talk about. Although terrified of her husband, she quickly hides her cat, giving her a air of heroism and making her seem funny: This humor allows the reader to realize that Mrs. Midas is an intellectual woman. Feminist critics might find Mrs. Midas's humor and laid-back personality to reflect a typical but unfair treatment of women in the history and literature: There are great personalities among women, but these personalities are rarely mentioned in historical facts or historical legends. This characteristic of Mrs. Midas can be understood as Duffy's attempt to highlight this inequality. Mrs. Midas was once so in love with her husband, but now she is terrified that one kiss will turn his lips into a work of art. On the other hand, feminist critics might reveal other meanings behind "Mrs Midas", interpreting Duffy's use of gender roles as a demonstration of how much pain a woman can suffer from her husband, especially if she wants to again, suggesting as in In our society it is often believed that a woman is happier with a dominant man. We are first introduced to Mr Midas when he 'snaps the twig' - the snap has a violent tone and perhaps suggests that the relationship is quite patriarchal. While women may have a voice, in this situation it is even weaker than that of men. Mrs. Midas's husband, who is greedy for money and hurts her emotionally, still has the stereotypical wife.