Deus ex machina

Definition: “The term deus ex machina refers to the circumstance where an implausible concept or a divine character is introduced into a storyline, for the purpose of resolving its conflict and procuring an interesting outcome.” (Literary Terms) Deus ex machina is Latin for “god out of the machine,” and originated from Greek theater. During ancient Greek plays a crane (machine) was used to lower actors or statues that were playing the role of a god (deus) that would of course rescue the heroes and save the play. Today, Deus ex machina is very popular in movies, t.v shows and books. It is primarily used to drive the plot forward when an author has backed themselves into a corner, but is also used to surprise the audience, provide a happy ending, or as a comedic device. It is a highly criticized plot device, dubbed as lazy writing and seen as a sign of a badly crafted plot. Critics cite that the author having to use something so unlikely and improbable to solve the conflict of the story or move it past one scene just extenuates a bad plot even more.…

Authors use many different literary devices to make their idea clear and concise or to enhance their novel or story. Moliere and Kafka are no different, their novels Tartuffe and The Metamorphosis, respectively, both use Deus Ex Machina to end their novel with a twist. Deus Ex Machina is when an author uses an unexpected power or events to save the characters or story from a seemingly impossible situation. It often used at the end of a story, novel, or play and to the reader it seems as if the…

certainly can apply to the theme and the book’s ending. In Lord of the Flies Golding uses deus ex machina to create a conclusion that yields specific characterization of the officer, as well as an implication of the boys’ fate, which accentuates the theme and leaves the reader thinking. This makes the ending the most effective it could be in relation to the rest of the book. The very end of the book, particularly the last 3 pages, introduces a new character, the naval officer. On the surface,…

results in Medea lacking an anagnorisis as there is no peripeteia that precedes it. Aristotle also believes that a tragedy must contain hamartia (flaw) which is evident through the novel, for Medea, her ‘fatal flaw’ is her inability to have any balance in her emotions which ultimately results in her dowanfall. Lastly, the element the Aristotle defines but does not favor in a tragedy was the Deus ex Machina which ultimately fails to invoke the emotions of pity and sympathy in the form of a…

in Athens where most Greeks lived? Ancient Greeks were not allowed to write about tragedies in their home-lands because they believed that if they wrote about tragedy in their land, it would actually occur there. Ancient Greeks also changed the times of their plays and literature of very mystical times in the past for the same reason: they don’t want tragedy happening in their time. In conclusion, this Greek myth, Medea, written by Euripides, gives us insight into Ancient Greek beliefs,…

“fatal results”. The very notion that Medea evades punishment “in this chariot which the Sun has sent to save her from the hands of enemies” is a testimony to the idea that the combatant forces of reason and passion are arbitrary in the larger scheme of our existence. Although the human mind is accustomed to manifesting itself in binary oppositions constituted of reason and passion which extends to all facets of life, such a notion is underplayed in the face of god. Removed from our…

El duende describes the complex relationship between the performer, the audience, and the duende itself according to “In Search of Duende” by Federico Garcia Lorca. It is a power struggle between the performer and el duende, who is symbolized by a demonical and hunger creature –-- this is the “true fight”. It is a fight where the performer is trying to evoke raw emotions to his/her audience; the duende is there to push the performer to reach that point. The duende serves as a reminder what is…

Pride and Prejudice is one of the most famous romance novels of all time. It centers on the representation of society, manners, marriage, and love in 19th century England. Author, Jane Austen, tells the convoluted love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy and describes the challenges it takes for the two of them to receive their happy ending. Elizabeth is the protagonist of the story and plays a pivotal role in the plot because she is a round and dynamic character, has a variety of…

treatment and therapy for their minor children.” Again, after facing criticism for this, Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican Party and the incoming White House chief of staff, backpedaled on the statement and counter-stated that the language did not refer to conversion therapy. Notably, the president of the Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBTQ+ conservative group, stated that “the nod to conversion therapy was included at the urging of Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research…

Mother Teresa In our world, there are many people who work to achieve justice. Most of those heroes do not think about themselves, they only think about others, and how they can improve their world and their society. Every one of them has their own way to help the people around them. They spend a lot of effort, money, time and for some even their life to make the world a better place for others. Some of them use their position to help people; others do not have anything except their…