Question

Passage 1: "Midas" retold by Thomas Bulfinch

[1] Bacchus, on a certain occasion, found his old schoolmaster and foster-father, Silenus, missing. The old man had been drinking, and in that state wandered away, and was found by some peasants, who carried him to their king, Midas. Midas recognized him, and treated him hospitably, entertaining him for ten days and nights with an unceasing round of jollity.

[2] On the eleventh day he brought Silenus back, and restored him in safety to his pupil. Whereupon Bacchus offered Midas his choice of a reward, whatever he might wish. He asked that whatever he might touch should be changed into gold. Bacchus consented, though sorry that he had not made a better choice.

[3] Midas went his way, rejoicing in his new-acquired power, which he hastened to put to the test. He could scarce believe his eyes when he found a twig of an oak, which he plucked from the branch, become gold in his hand. He took up a stone; it changed to gold. He touched a sod; it did the same. He took up an apple from the tree; you would have thought he had robbed the garden of the Hesperides. His joy knew no bounds, and as soon as he got home, he ordered the servants to set a splendid repast on the table. Then he found to his dismay that whether he touched bread, it hardened in his hand; or put a morsel to his lip, it defied his teeth. He took a glass of wine, but it flowed down his throat like melted gold.

[4] In consternation at the unprecedented affliction, he strove to divest himself of his power; he hated the gift he had lately coveted. But all in vain; starvation seemed to await him. He raised his arms, all shining with gold, in prayer to Bacchus, begging to be delivered from his glittering destruction. Bacchus, merciful deity, heard and consented. "Go," said he, "to River Pactolus, trace its fountain-head, there plunge yourself and body in, and wash away your fault and its punishment." He did so, and scarce had he touched the waters before the gold-creating power passed into them, and the river sands became changed into gold, as they remain to this day.

Passage 2: "Bacchus's Regret" by Hunter Doyle

[1] King Midas returned my beloved teacher to me,
so I rewarded him with a wish—whatever he wanted would be.
Midas cried, "Give my fingers a golden touch!
Then, I shall have a gilded kingdom and such."

[5] I tried to make him see the err of his choice,
but he would not heed the caution in my voice.
I pleaded with Midas, "Be careful what you choose,
for you're only thinking of what you'll gain—not what you'll lose."

[9] His thirst for wealth became no match for his appetite;
after all, a gold apple is not something one can bite.
His daughter wept for her poor starving dad,
so he wiped her tears and told her not to be sad.

[13] Into a golden statue Midas's daughter became,
and he and his greedy wish were ultimately to blame.
Yet, maybe if I had put up more of a fight and a fret,
then I wouldn't have to live with all this regret.

How does the poem show the theme greed can have negative consequences differently than the myth?

A) By allowing Bacchus to refuse Midas's wish
B)By changing what Midas wishes for
C)By resolving Midas's conflict sooner
D)By showing what happens to Midas's daughter

Answer 1

The poem 'Bacchus's Regret' highlights the personal tragedy of Midas's greed by showing his daughter turned to gold, which differs from the myth that focuses on Midas's inability to eat or drink.

Step-by-step explanation:

The story of King Midas is a myth about the tragedy of avarice and narrates what happens when true happiness is not recognized. Midas was a man who wished that everything he touched would turn into gold. However, he had not thought that this wish was not actually a blessing, but a curse.

The poem "Bacchus's Regret" illustrates the theme that greed can have negative consequences differently than the myth "Midas" by comparing the outcome for King Midas's daughter. Unlike the myth retold by Thomas Bulfinch where Midas's greed directly impacts his ability to eat and drink, the poem by Hunter Doyle emphasizes the personal tragedy by showing King Midas turning his own daughter into gold.

Thus highlighting the interpersonal devastation caused by his greed. In the poem, the regret of Bacchus is also more pronounced, as he reflects on his role in Midas's downfall, suggesting a greater depth of moral complexity.

Answer 2

The poem "Bacchus's Regret" by Hunter Doyle shows the theme that greed can have negative consequences differently than the myth "Midas" retold by Thomas Bulfinch by: B) By changing what Midas wishes for

In the original myth, Midas wishes that everything he touches turns to gold, and this leads to unintended negative consequences, such as not being able to eat or drink.

In the poem, the wish is modified to specifically give Midas's fingers a golden touch, emphasizing a more direct and personal consequence of his greed. This modification highlights the repercussions of his choice in a slightly different way than the original myth.