Deus ex machina

For other uses, see Deus ex machina (disambiguation).
Deus ex machina in Euripides' Medea, performed in 2009 in Syracuse, Italy; the sun god sends a golden chariot to rescue Medea.

Deus ex machina (/ˌdeɪəs ɛks ˈmækɪnə, ˈmɑːk-/ DAY-əs ex-MA(H)K-in-ə,[1] Latin: [ˈdɛ.ʊs ɛks ˈmaːkʰɪnaː]; plural: dei ex machina; English "god from the machine")[2][3] is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly or abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence.[4][5] Its function is generally to resolve an otherwise irresolvable plot situation, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending or act as a comedic device.[6]

  1. ^ Random House Dictionary
  2. ^ Beckson, Karl E.; Ganz, Arthur F. (1961). A Reader's Guide to Literary Terms: A Dictionary. Noonday Press.
  3. ^ "Deus Ex Machina - Examples and Definition". Literary Devices. 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  4. ^ "deus ex machina". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 23 Apr 2018.
  5. ^ "Deus ex machina". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 23 Apr 2018.
  6. ^ "God Out of the Machine – Theatrical Literary Devices - Oxford Study Courses". oxfordstudycourses.com. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 2021-04-23.