Teaching the Anatolian Tale of King Midas to Middle and High School Student: Graeco-Roman Mythology Series

In this post, I discuss the story of Midas, the foolish king of Phrygia who turned everything he touched into gold, grew a pair of ass's ears, and apparently is based on a historical king in what is today part of central Turkey and Asia Minor.

King Midas was an ancient Phrygian monarch 

and son of Gordius, and some say of the Goddess Ida. Image Credit: Unsplash

The story of King Midas has been told and retold throughout history, and for good reason. It's the premise behind a quite humorous candy commercial, and perhaps you first heard of the story through a widely distributed Disney animated short film. The story, however, is a cautionary tale. In my English Language Arts and Humanities middle and high school classroom, I use it to prompt young people to think critically about folly, ignorance, fraud, greed, and the unintended consequences of our actions. And even further, I use this story to spark discussions about morality, ethics, and the importance of self-reflection.

With an easy-to-use map and anchor chart
I can introduce students to the historical context of the Midas tale.

First, I introduce my students to the story's historical context. King Midas was a ruler of Phrygia, an ancient kingdom located in what is now parts of central Turkey and Asia Minor. This helps to ground the story in reality and shows that the lessons it teaches are rooted in history and culture. That's an important piece.

Next, I read the story of King Midas to my students. I like to use the version from Robert Graves' fantastic collection of Greek myths. Plenty of versions are out there, including a famous one by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Whichever version you choose, and you can share more than one, I ask students how they would feel if they suddenly became rich beyond their wildest dreams or if everything they touched turned gold.

After we have discussed the story itself, I like to focus on the character of King Midas. I ask my students to consider his actions and motivations and how they ultimately led to his downfall. I have many activities that lean into this part of the story. We talk about the dangers of greed and how it can blind us to the things that matter in life, such as family, friends, and happiness.

One of the most memorable parts of the story is when King Midas grows a pair of ass's ears after foolishly wishing for the ability to hear everything. This powerful image can illustrate the idea that our actions have consequences and that we must be careful what we wish for.

I use writing prompts to get kids' creative juices flowing.

To reinforce the story's lessons, I like to use creative activities that allow my students to explore the themes more personally. I pull from art and literature to showcase how the story has been adapted, leading to a creative writing activity. For example, I might ask them to write a modern-day version of the story or create a piece of artwork representing the dangers of greed.

Here is a monologue one of my amazing students wrote, re-imagining the version of Midas by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this version, Midas turns his daughter into gold when he touches her:

The Gilded Daughter's Lament

It's funny, isn't it? The thing I always wanted that would bring me the most happiness is now the very thing that's destroyed me. Gold. My father's touch turned me into a statue of gold.
 
I used to dream of being wealthy and powerful, of having everything I could ever want at my fingertips. But I never stopped to consider the cost, the price I'd have to pay for all that wealth. And now, I'm paying it in full.
 
I can't move, I can't speak, I can't even cry. I'm just frozen in this golden shell, a monument to my father's foolishness. And what will become of me now? Will I be placed on display for all to see, a tragic curiosity? Will I be melted down and turned into something else, something that someone else desires?
 
It's funny how quickly your desires can turn against you. How one moment you can be chasing after something, thinking it will bring you happiness, and the next moment it can become your greatest nightmare. I wish I could go back and warn myself, tell myself to be careful what I wished for. But it's too late now.
 
So here I am, a statue of gold, unable to move or speak, watching as the world passes me by. And all I can do is wonder if anyone will ever see me as more than just a thing to be owned and possessed.

Overall, the story of King Midas is a wonderful tool for teaching important lessons about morality and ethics. By engaging my students in thoughtful discussions and creative activities, I can help them better understand these concepts and how they apply to their lives.

If you want to teach the story of Midas to your middle and high school students, head over to my TpT store, where I sell a compelling lesson and activity that features the story of this Anatolian king!

Midas Anatolian Tale: Mythology Series for Middle and High School (Grades 8-10)

PDF Copy for Printing