Final answer:
King Midas hates the sight of gold except for one instance because he has witnessed its destructive power on human behavior, reflecting a common theme of gold's corrupting influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
When King Midas refers to hating the sight of gold except for one specific instance, he is expressing a deep aversion to the material wealth and the negative effects it can have on people, as seen through the greed and madness it incites. His experiences have shown him the destructive power of gold, as it drives men to joy, rage, and even to kill one another for its possession. King Midas's sentiment encapsulates a theme that touches upon the corrupting influence of wealth and the human cost associated with gold's allure. These feelings are reflected in several literary excerpts provided, which collectively highlight the obsession with gold and the lengths to which people go to obtain it, often at the cost of their morals, relationships, and even lives.