Deus ex machina

The phrase deus ex machina (literally "god out of a machine") describes an unexpected, artificial, or improbable character, device, or event introduced suddenly in a work of fiction or drama to resolve a situation or untangle a plot (e.g. the rope that binds the hero's hands is luckily chewed off by a rat, or an angel suddenly appearing to solve problems).
== Origin ==
The Latin phrase "deus ex machina" has its origins in the conventions of a classical Greek drama. It refers to situations in which a mechane (crane) was used to lower an actor playing a god onto the stage. Though the phrase is accurately translated as "God from a machine," in literary criticism, it is more commonly translated to "God on a machine." It is a calque from the Greek ápo mēchanēs theós, (pronounced in Ancient Greek ). The first person known to have criticized the device was Aristotle in his Poetics, where he argues that a good tragedy must remain plausible.
== Deus ex machina in Tolkien's Legendarium ==
Some events in the canon which could be considered to fall into this category are:
* The thrush that brings the message to Bard, enabling him to kill Smaug.
* The change of wind direction in The Return of the King, which turns the tides of battle in Gondor's favour.
* The appearance of Gwaihir and other Eagles who constantly save Gandalf whenever he is in a hopeless situation.
* Gollum's fall destroying the One Ring entirely by accident.
Category:Techniques