Deus ex machina (Latin: [ˈdeʊs ɛks ˈmaː.kʰɪ.naː]: /ˈdeɪ.əs ɛks ˈmɑːkiːnə/ or /ˈdiːəs ɛks ˈmækᵻnə/; plural: dei ex machina) is a Latin calque from Greek ἀπὸ μηχανῆς θεός (apò mēkhanês theós), meaning "god from the machine". The term has evolved to mean a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved by the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability or object. Depending on how it is done, it can be intended to move the story forward when the writer has "painted himself into a corner" and sees no other way out, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending, or as a comedic device.
The term was coined from the conventions of Greek tragedy, where a machine is used to bring actors playing gods onto the stage. The machine could be either a crane (mechane) used to lower actors from above or a riser that brought actors up through a trapdoor. Preparation to pick up the actors was done behind the skene. The idea was introduced by Aeschylus and was used often to resolve the conflict and conclude the drama. Although the device is associated mostly with Greek tragedy, it also appeared in comedies.
Deus ex machina is a Latin term literally meaning "god from the machine", and is used to indicate a person or event which provides a sudden, unexpected solution to a story.
Deus ex machina may also refer to:
Deus Ex Machina is a popular Greek hardcore punk band from Athens formed in 1989 by Dimitris Spyropoulos and Dimitris Manthos, with Spyropoulos and Yiannis Venardis (the group's drummer) having already been early Greek Punk scene's 'veterans' (they were members of Adiexodo).
The band's lyrics are often political having references to subjects such as the War on Iraq and the Mexican Zapatista Army of National Liberation movement.
Ex Machina is a portion of the phrase deus ex machina, meaning 'god from the machine'.
Ex Machina has been used for:
Ex Machina is an American creator-owned comic book series created by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris, and published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint.
The series details the life of Mitchell Hundred (also known as The Great Machine), the world's first and only superhero, who, in the wake of his actions on 9/11, is elected Mayor of New York City. The story is set during Hundred's term in office, and interwoven with flashbacks to his past as the Great Machine. Through this, the series explores both the political situations Hundred finds himself in, and the mysteries surrounding his superpowers.
Ex Machina launched in 2004 as part of DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint. The series ended in August 2010 with issue fifty.
The title of the comic comes from the Latin phrase 'deus ex machina', and is also a reference to Hundred's superhero persona, the Great Machine, in that he is now an 'ex-Machine'. In the first issue, Mitchell explains that he chose the name "Great Machine" based on a quote about society by Thomas Jefferson. Accordingly, one of the series' recurring themes is the tendency of citizens to become overly reliant on their government and constantly expect it to save them.
Star Trek: Ex Machina is a novel based on characters from Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) and Star Trek: The Motion Picture (TMP). The story is set shortly after the events of the movie, and also acts as a sequel to the episode "For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky".
It was written by Christopher L. Bennett and published by Pocket Books in December 2004.
The plot concerns several crew members' efforts to deal with the aftereffects of the V'Ger entity and the long-term ripples of overthrowing a computer intelligence on Yonada so many years ago.
The writers of the 2009 Star Trek film cite the book as one of their favorites.
Mankind's mirror metaphor
In kind devotion's wage
Mankind's mirror metaphor
In kind devotion's wage
Kindly kill my craving core
This night you'll come of age
In His name
Creation of shame
Innocence in no sense
Behind these walls in slumber deep
Unrepentant timeless sleep
Dormant lies the naked sheep
To fall from grace
Endlessly weep
When mend means break
Virtues mistake
Incarnated eternity
A blur of moral clarity
Thy servants bear thy serpent
On thee their backs they turn
Enlightenment bears all umbrage
Lord, thy bridges burn
Penetrated armor
Infiltrated harbor
Word to flesh to power
Evil's birthing hour
Ruthless stomps come cracking you
Dark and light ex machina
Thy servants bear thy serpent
- Black the hearts embraced
On thee their backs they turn
- The Angel leaves its place
Enlightenment bears all umbrage
- Obscurity to earn
Lord, thy bridges burn
Extinct instincts impending doom
Obligation freedom menaces loom
Worlds and borders transcendent orders
He who sees the wrong and right sees thy only bridge ignite
Mankind's mirror metaphor
Kindly kills my craving core
When fight means world
When straight lines curl
Where terror reigns
Where wisdom pains
Where see means mourn
Where dead means born
The bastard child won't learn