Scholastic Action: "The Golden Curse"

At the start of the play, which is most important to King Midas?

• his castle

• his daughter

• his kingdom

• his gold

• his rose garden

What line from Scene 1 gives a hint that Midas will face problems later in the play?

• N3: He was the richest man in all the land.

• N2: More than ice cream?

• Marigold: Then I’ll leave you to your treasure.

• Dionysus: This greedy king must be taught a lesson!

• N3: Every day, King Midas sat in his treasure room counting his gold.

When Marigold says her roses are fragrant, she means that ______.

• they smell good

• they are brightly colored

• they are worth a lot of money

• she has a lot of them

• she planted them herself

When Midas’s drink turns to gold at the banquet, he turns pale and his hand shakes. You can infer that Midas ______.

• is feeling sick after eating too much

• is starting to see the problem with his new power

• is excited to turn his food into gold

• is afraid of his guests

• is concerned his body is turning to gold

The mood of the characters in Scene 4 (in the banquet room) starts out ______ but ends up ______.

• sad, excited

• bored, amazed

• cheerful, fearful

• angry, amused

At the end of the play, why does the god Dionysus agree to help Midas?

• He sees that Midas has changed.

• He wants to talk with Marigold.

• He wants to show how powerful he is.

• He wants the roses to be red again.

• He wants Midas to admit he made a foolish wish.

When Midas says he wants everything he touches to turn into gold, Dionysus says, “It is a wish I will grant you—and one you truly deserve.” What does he mean by that?

Guests at a banquet can expect to ______.

• climb a mountain

• receive gifts

• get married

• eat fancy food

• meet rich people

When does Midas realize that his power is a curse?

• when he turns a door into gold

• when he turns a rosebush into gold

• when he turns a plate into gold

• when he turns his daughter into gold

• when his drink turns to gold