Proserpine and Midas
Proserpine and Midas is a collection of two plays written by Mary Shelley and originally published in 1820. They are two classic, short dramas.
In the first drama, Proserpine, we learn the story of how Proserpine ignores the warnings of her mother Ceres (Goddess of Agriculture), and ends up being kidnapped by the King of the Underworld. The most relevant part of the story is the relationship between Proserpina's mother and herself in such a tragic event.
On the other hand, in Midas, Apollo defeats the wild god Pan in a musical contest. The latter, not satisfied with the result, organizes another contest and calls King Midas to act as judge. However, Midas will soon see that it is impossible to play god without risking the greatest of penalties for your decisions.
Your download has started
PDF · Proserpine and Midas — didn't start? Download again
Also available: PDF · EPUB · MOBI · Read online
Read it on a Kindle
Download the EPUB and send it with Amazon's Send to Kindle (web, app, or your kindle.com email). Modern Kindles accept EPUB directly — no conversion needed.
On iPhone or iPad
Tap the downloaded file, then "Open in Books". It opens in Apple Books, with your reading progress synced across your devices.
On Android
Open the file with Google Play Books or any EPUB reader (ReadEra, Moon+ Reader). PDFs open in any viewer.
On your computer
PDFs open anywhere. For EPUB, try Calibre or Thorium Reader — both free and excellent.
Public domain (US)·No sign-up·DRM-free·Real text, not scans
Copyright note. Proserpine and Midas by Mary Shelley is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading Proserpine and Midas in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 119
- Reading time
- 1 hour 27 minutes
- Pace
- Intermediate
- First published
- 1820
- Language
- English
- Downloads
- 2,202
206 years later, still timely
Why Read Proserpine and Midas in 2026?
Myth on a small stage: seasons, hunger, and the price of a wish. Shelley makes legend intimate.
Today's connection
Great for groups comparing classical sources with Romantic retellings. Desire, consent, and consequence arrive in lucid scenes built to be spoken.
Seasonal myth
Cycles of loss and return.
Wish and cost
Gold that ruins what it touches.
Play-ready
Clear parts, strong moments, quick pace.
Share this book
About the author
Mary Shelley
A pioneering imagination about creation, care, and responsibility in the age of making life.
