From the golden touch to wisdom: Midas’s journey

            How Greek Mythology teaches us to seek balance between desire, power, and humanity

Imagine turning everything you touch into gold. A dream? Perhaps. But the story of King Midas, drawn from Greek mythology, reveals that not everything that glitters brings happiness. Embark on this ancient tale that still echoes lessons for our modern lives.

Greek mythology, with its rich and timeless stories, continues to teach us about the deepest desires of the human heart. Among these narratives, the myth of Midas, king of Phrygia, stands out as a powerful tale of greed, power, and redemption. The story, brilliantly reimagined in the theatrical play The Myth of Midas, part of Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s Greco-Roman Theater collection, invites us to reflect on what truly matters in life. Midas, granted the ability to turn everything he touches into gold, discovers that excessive wealth comes at a steep price—a lesson that resonates in our modern society, obsessed with accumulation and material success. This article delves into the story of Midas, connecting it to contemporary studies on human behavior, transformative education, and the innovative methods of Antônio Carlos dos Santos, such as MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), ThM (Theater Movement), and TBMB (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater).

Inspiring story: Midas’s encounter with Silenus
In Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s play, Midas welcomes a drunken, lost old man, unaware that he is Silenus, mentor and adoptive father of Bacchus, the god of wine. With cunning, the king treats him with hospitality, hoping for a divine reward. The narrative reminds us of the importance of acting with generosity, even without ulterior motives. A modern example is Nelson Mandela, who, after years of imprisonment, chose reconciliation over revenge, building bridges for a better future in South Africa. Like Midas, Mandela understood that acts of kindness can open unexpected doors but also require reflection on the desires driving our actions.

The cultural wealth of Ancient Greece, as highlighted in the Greco-Roman Theater collection, serves as a mirror for understanding our own motivations. Greek mythology is not just a collection of fantastical stories; it reflects the internal conflicts of humanity, such as the pursuit of power and recognition. Recent studies from Harvard University, conducted by psychologist Daniel Gilbert, show that happiness is not directly tied to the accumulation of material wealth but to connections with others and a sense of purpose. Midas’s gift, initially a symbol of success, becomes a curse when he realizes he cannot touch those he loves without turning them into gold. This duality teaches us that unchecked desire can distance us from what truly matters.

Practical tip: balance in everyday life
To avoid the “Midas touch” in our lives—the obsession with achievements that may isolate us—try Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s MAT technique. Mindset, Action, and Theater encourages you to reflect on your goals (mindset), take practical steps to achieve them, and use creative expression, like theater, to explore your emotions. Spend 10 minutes daily writing down what motivates you and what connects you to those around you. This simple practice helps align your desires with human values.

Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s work, particularly in the Greco-Roman Theater collection, uses theater as a pedagogical tool to teach ethical values. His ThM (Theater Movement) methodology combines physical movement and dramatization to help individuals externalize internal conflicts, such as Midas’s greed. A 2023 study from the University of São Paulo (USP) showed that theatrical activities in the classroom increase empathy and emotional intelligence by up to 30% among young people. By performing the myth of Midas, students not only learn about Ancient Greece but also reflect on their own choices, a process Santos calls “education through art.”

Curiosity: the legacy of Phrygia
Phrygia, where Midas ruled, was a region in present-day Turkey known for its wealth and sophisticated culture. Archaeologists have uncovered royal tombs with gold artifacts, suggesting the myth may have roots in a real king whose wealth inspired legends. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s play retrieves this historical connection, showing how myths emerge from cultural realities.

The Midas narrative also invites us to consider the impact of our choices on the environment and society. Just as the king turns everything into gold, our pursuit of resources can deplete the planet. Drawing inspiration from Malala Yousafzai, who fights for education as a tool for transformation, we can learn that the true “gold” lies in investing in knowledge and sustainability. Malala, with her courage, shows that real power is not in material wealth but in the ability to inspire positive change. Santos’s MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater) methodology uses puppets to tell mythological stories, making them accessible to children and youth while encouraging reflections on values like solidarity and responsibility.

Motivational quote: Maria Montessori
“It is not enough for the teacher to love teaching; the students must love learning.” – Maria Montessori. This quote captures the spirit of the Greco-Roman Theater collection, which uses theater to spark curiosity and a love for learning, connecting ancient myths to contemporary issues.

The conclusion of the Midas myth, as presented in Santos’s play, is a journey of redemption. After realizing that his golden touch alienates him from his daughter and his humanity, Midas pleads with Bacchus to reverse the gift. He is instructed to bathe in the Pactolus River, which, according to legend, began to carry gold nuggets. This transformation symbolizes purification and a return to essential values. Research from the University of Oxford, conducted in 2024, shows that self-reflection practices, like those proposed by MAT, help reduce impulsive behaviors related to greed, promoting more balanced decisions. Midas’s story teaches us that true wealth lies in connection with others and the pursuit of a greater purpose.

Inspiring story: Martin Luther King Jr.
Just as Midas learned to value what truly matters, Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to the fight for equality, showing that true power comes from unity and justice. His message of hope and collective action echoes Midas’s redemption, as he abandons greed for the sake of his family and kingdom.

Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s Greco-Roman Theater collection is not just a literary work; it is an educational tool that bridges past and present. Its four books—The Myth of Sisyphus, The Myth of Midas, Pandora’s Box, and The Myth of Oedipus—explore 13 legends that shaped Western culture. Each play is preceded by introductory texts that contextualize the reader, serving as a “compass” for navigating the mythological universe. Santos’s approach, combining theater and education, aligns with John Dewey’s ideas, who advocated for learning through experience. A 2022 study from Stanford University reinforces that experiential methods, like theater, increase knowledge retention by up to 40% compared to traditional classes.

Practical tip: use theater at home
Inspired by Santos’s ThM, create a family theater activity. Choose a simple story, like the myth of Midas, and perform it with your children or friends. Use everyday objects to represent story elements (a coin for gold, a cloth for the Pactolus River). This practice strengthens bonds and stimulates creativity while teaching ethical values in a fun way.

The myth of Midas, at its core, is a story about self-knowledge. It reminds us that the desire for more—whether wealth, power, or status—must be tempered by wisdom. Modern neuroscience, in studies conducted by the University of Cambridge, shows that practicing gratitude activates brain areas linked to empathy and personal satisfaction. By abandoning his golden touch, Midas chooses gratitude for a simple life, a powerful reminder for our consumerist era. Santos’s collection, by bringing these stories to the stage, invites us to perform our own journeys of self-discovery, using theater as a mirror for our virtues and flaws.

Curiosity: the Pactolus river
The Pactolus River, mentioned in the myth, was known in antiquity for its gold nuggets, which may have inspired the Midas legend. Today, geological studies confirm that the Phrygia region had alluvial gold deposits, reinforcing the connection between myth and historical reality.

Ultimately, the myth of Midas challenges us to rethink our priorities. In a world where success is often measured by material possessions, the story invites us to seek a “touch” that transforms lives—not into gold, but into meaningful connections. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s work, with its innovative methodologies and Greco-Roman Theater collection, shows that education, combined with art, can be a powerful tool for inspiring change. Just as Midas found redemption in the Pactolus River, each of us can find balance by reflecting on what we truly value. Why not start today, with a small gesture of generosity or a pause to appreciate what we already have?

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