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Deus ex machina

Deus ex machina. Defined. Literal translation: “god of the machine” or “gods from the machine”

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Deus ex machina

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  1. Deus ex machina

  2. Defined • Literal translation: “god of the machine” or “gods from the machine” • An improbable contrivance in a story (when something suddenly shows up to resolve a situation); the employment of some unexpected or improbable incident to make things turn out right, such as the timely appearance of a god to extricate characters from a situation so perplexing/dangerous that the solution seemed beyond mortal powers • An artificial or improbable character, device, or event introduced suddenly in a work of fiction or drama to resolve the situation or untangle the plot • The author solves a situation by a forced intervention • Authorial intervention for a happy ending

  3. Origins & More • Originated in Greek tragedy • Name came from when a “mechane” (a crane/structure/machine above the stage) was used to lower actors playing gods onto the stage in Greek theater • Challenges logic and asks for one to suspend disbelief • Can also apply to plot twists, where everything in the story suddenly and conveniently intertwines at the right time • Challenged by Aristotle who felt that plot resolution should come from within to make it truly relevant • Example: Athena intervenes at the end of The Odyssey and insists on a peace instead of war.

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