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  1. Dictionary
    deus ex machina
    /ˌdeɪʊs ɛks ˈmakɪnə/

    noun

    • 1. an unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation, especially as a contrived plot device in a play or novel.

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  3. Deus ex machina is a Latin calque from Greek ἀπὸ μηχανῆς θεός (apò mēkhanês theós) 'god from the machine'. [7] The term was coined from the conventions of ancient Greek theater, where actors who were playing gods were brought on stage using a machine. The machine could be either a crane ( mechane) used to lower actors from ...

  4. Jul 10, 2024 · The meaning of DEUS EX MACHINA is a god introduced by means of a crane in ancient Greek and Roman drama to decide the final outcome. How to use deus ex machina in a sentence.

  5. DEUS EX MACHINA definition: 1. an unnatural or very unlikely end to a story or event, that solves or removes any problems too…. Learn more.

  6. deus ex machina, a person or thing that appears or is introduced into a situation suddenly and unexpectedly and provides an artificial or contrived solution to an apparently insoluble difficulty. The term was first used in ancient Greek and Roman drama, where it meant the timely appearance of a god to unravel and resolve the plot.

    • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
  7. Nov 24, 2021 · Understanding Deus Ex Machina: Definition and Examples in Literature. The deus ex machina device is generally regarded as a cheap way to insert an easy conclusion, but it can also function as a comedic device or add an element of surprise. Learn the meaning of deus ex machina and how it continues to function in today’s creative writing landscape.

  8. A deus ex machina is a plot device whereby an unsolvable conflict or point of tension is suddenly resolved by the unexpected appearance of an implausible character, object, action, ability, or event. For example, if a character fell off a cliff and a flying robot suddenly appeared out of nowhere to catch them, that would be a deus ex machina.

  9. Deus ex machna is a way of ensuring that the good guys win even when the writer has not laid the groundwork for ensuring that this is possible. In addition to creating unsatisfying endings, deus ex machina is also a way of violating the established rules of a narrative world. Every author constructs a world with characters, forces, and rules ...