Metamorphoses · Character
Midas
A king whose wish for a golden touch starves him, and whose bad judgment in musical contests earns him a pair of ass's ears.
supporting
Also known as King Midas
First appearance: Fable of Midas
As a supporting figure in Metamorphoses, Midas is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
King who wishes for the golden touch and later judges a musical contest, receiving ass's ears as punishment.
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Midas is a Phrygian ruler whose wealth cannot cure his foolishness: he asks Bacchus for the golden touch, then begs to be released from it when food and drink turn to metal. Later he prefers Pan's pipes to Apollo's lyre…
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The fuller portrait of Midas sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Midas in Fable of MidasCharacter Web
36 connectionsA slice of how Midas sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Social
- Other
Character groups
- Transformation through desire and violence
- Heroes, gods, and their victims
- Sorcery and monstrous transformations
- Tragic lovers and unfulfilled desire
+31 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Telethusa’s de…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Io
social · ambivalent
Io and Midas are connected through mythological narratives but not directly close. How this plays out →
- Io
social · ambivalent
Io and Midas are connected through mythological narratives but not directly close. How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Midas in Fable of MidasIn the story
Midas appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Midas unlock in the free preview.
See Midas in Fable of Midas