1. King Midas and the Golden Touch
Allusion:
“Faust, Midas, and Myself” by Switchfoot
“I woke up from my dream As a golden man With a girl I've never seen With golden skin I jumped up to my feet She asked me what was wrong I began to scream I don't think this is me Is this just a dream Or really happening?”
Midas was the king of Phrygia, in Asia Minor. He was granted a wish by the God Dionyssusbecause Midas had found one of Dionyssus companions Silenus. Midas wished for the touch of gold, meaning everything he touched would turn into gold. Dionyssus had warned Midas about the wish yet Midas didn’t pay attention because he was so distracted by the wish he received from the God. Suddenly Midas became very upset because he could not eat food because it would turn into gold and worse he accidently touched his daughter and turned her into gold. Midas went to Dionyssus so that he can revoke his wish but the only way to revoke it was that he had to wash his hand. Midas went to river Pactolus and tried to wash his hands but suddenly the river turned to gold.
Switchfoot. “Faust, Midas, and Myself”. Oh! Gravity. Colombia/SonyBMG CD.
Greece Myths: King Midas and His Golden Touch. greeka. .greeka. n.d. 21 Aug
The song “Faust, Midas, and myself” discusses how one’s wishes soon lead to regret once they are fulfilled. “Having the golden touch” is a phrase that people use to call those who’s greed dictates their desires.