King Midas

The other day, Sophie Pong and I were watching Barbie: the Princess and the Pauper, and we noticed a Latin moment. One of the antagonists is a dog named Midas. Midas is the duke’s dog. His main character trait is his hatred for Princess Anneliese’s cat, Seraphina, and his pride for his golden tooth. Throughout the movie, Midas is seen smiling, showing off his golden tooth and admiring it. Also, Midas and the duke's main goal is to steal the royal gold supply and become royal. At the end of the movie, the duke and Midas fail to gain the throne, Midas loses his golden tooth, and they accidentally save the economy of the kingdom by discovering a new crystal.

In Greek mythology, there was a Phrygia king named Midas, and he was extremely greedy. When Dionysus gave him one wish, Midas wishes that everything he touches turns to gold. However, Midas did not consider that he could not touch food or water, and he almost starved to death. Dionysis told Midas that he would be released from his “gift” if he bathes in the Pactolus River. Since Midas bathed in that river, one can find gold in the Pactolus River.

I believe that it is appropriate for Midas the dog to be named after King Midas because they are both inspired by greed and gold. Their pride, a golden tooth and a need for gold, drives them to make bad decisions. Also, when both of their plans fail to gain more money, the result is other people wealthy. Midas, the Dog, accidentally discovers a crystal that makes the kingdom wealthy, and King Midas ends up giving gold to the local people around the Pactolus River. Although the targeted audience of Barbie: Princess and the Pauper probably will not understand the significance of Midas the dog’s name, the cultured people (like me and Sophie) will appreciate the reference to King Midas and mythology.

By: Charlotte Eades

Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Midas-Greek-mythology
Barbie: The Princess and the Pauper Movie
Images:
https://www.cinemaparadiso.co.uk/media/stl205550/barbie-the-princess-and-the-pauper-10221.html
https://greekmyths4dummies.weebly.com/myths-56-midas-and-the-golden-touchdemeter.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie_as_the_Princess_and_the_Pauper