Deus ex machina: Difference between revisions
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Latin for “god from the machine | Latin for “god out of the machine” or "god from the machine" depending on what refrences you use. The term originated in Greek theaters and was eventually translated into Latin. It came about when a [http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/dunkle/comedy/intro19.htm mechane] (a crane) would lower a person or persons playing the role of a god or gods to find a solution to a hopeless situation. This formed the phrase “god from the machine.” In modern times deus ex machina has come to describe anyone or anything that seemingly arrives from nowhere to resolve the conflict in a story. | ||
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[http://www.gale.com/free_resources/glossary/glossary_de.htm#d www.gale.com] | [[Literary Terms]] | ||
=== Works Cited === | |||
* [http://www.gale.com/free_resources/glossary/glossary_de.htm#d www.gale.com] | |||
* Cuddon, J.A. ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Themes and Literary Theory''. 4th ed. 1999. | |||
* Lass, Abraham H., David Kiremidjian, and Ruth M. Goldstein. ''The Dictionary of Classical, Biblical, & Literary Allusions''. 1991. | |||
Revision as of 12:08, 23 February 2006
Latin for “god out of the machine” or "god from the machine" depending on what refrences you use. The term originated in Greek theaters and was eventually translated into Latin. It came about when a mechane (a crane) would lower a person or persons playing the role of a god or gods to find a solution to a hopeless situation. This formed the phrase “god from the machine.” In modern times deus ex machina has come to describe anyone or anything that seemingly arrives from nowhere to resolve the conflict in a story.
Examples: In J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Frodo and Sam (the ringbearers) are trapped on Mount Doom during the eruption. Eagles fly from a distance and proceed to rescue them.
Works Cited
- www.gale.com
- Cuddon, J.A. The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Themes and Literary Theory. 4th ed. 1999.
- Lass, Abraham H., David Kiremidjian, and Ruth M. Goldstein. The Dictionary of Classical, Biblical, & Literary Allusions. 1991.