The Story of Midas Analysis Essay Example

The mythological story of Midas depicts the consequences the king Midas faces after wishing everything he touched turned to gold. Throughout the story, it’s evident that Midas fits the hero archetype, while Apollo as the herald. As a result of these archetypes as well as the consequences of Midas’s wish, it’s evident that the story intends to teach the audience to not be greedy, but rather to be grateful for what one has, while continuing to showcase what the culture who developed this story perceived as vices. 

The beginning of the story describes a selfish king, Midas, who doesn’t want anyone else to have gold. Immediately within the story, Midas’ path parallels a Hero’s Journey. The story begins with the king complaining to Apollo about how no one but kings should have gold. He says, “Of all the gods, if gods there be, I like you least, Apollo. How dare you ride so unthriftily in your sun-chariot? This is an evil thing, oh wastrel god, for only kings should have gold”. Midas complaining about the current life he lives can be described as the ordinary world seen in a Hero’s Journey, and how he craves more than what he already has, similar to a hero. Furthermore, Apollo then grants his wish, which could be described as Midas’s call to adventure since he presents the king with a “quest” in which Midas has to face many battles as a result of his wish. This chain of events is also similar to a hero’s journey once they accept the call to adventure. Once the king’s wish is granted, this world can be compared to the special world in a hero’s story in which the hero experiences the quest and hardships. In addition, towards the end of the myth, Midas begins to repent for his sins once he realizes that he is unable to eat and drink. The story states, ““I repent. I will never desire gold again. I will never accuse the gods. Pray, revoke the fatal wish”. Once Midas begs to have the wish taken away, Apollo does so. Midas’ problem had been solved, and he was no longer the same selfish person he was in the beginning of the story. Instead, he had returned with wisdom, which can be compared to the resurrection stage in a hero’s journey. Though Midas’s punishment for his greediness within the story, it’s shown how the culture that developed this story viewed greediness as immoral behavior. Furthermore, this punishment allowed him to learn to be grateful for the things he has and teaches readers this lesson, showing the relevancy of his character. In conclusion, the story displays the actions perceived as vices by the culture who developed this myth, while also teaching the audience a lesson on selfishness. 

Though Midas can be compared to a hero within the story and is the main character, Apollo can also be inherited as an important character that reflects the herald archetype. For instance, when the story describes Midas complaining to the Gods about wanting more gold, Apollo comes down and grants this wish for the king. He states, “I will show you how gracious I can be by granting you a wish”. As a result of granting the wish, Apollo allowed Midas to begin his journey and learn his lesson. This allows the god to be identified as a herald archetype since they are defined as the character that shifts the course of the story and starts the hero on their journey. However, throughout the story, it’s evident that the wish granted was harmful towards the king. The king’s selfishness being depicted as a punishable act relieves the beliefs of the culture who developed the myth, as well as teaches readers a lesson to not be selfish in life. 

Throughout the story of Midas, the king is portrayed as a hero archetype because his journey is similar to a hero’s journey. Comparatively, Apollo represents the herald archetype due to starting Midas on his journey, which then allows the king to gain wisdom in the end. Both actions of the characters showcase the lesson the story intends to teach. Through Midas’ greediness being identified as a punishable act, the lesson of being grateful for one’s life is taught. This also further depicts what the culture who developed this myth deemed immoral.