Do any original "Deus ex Machina's" exist? (The Plot device itself, not the machine)

Cafe Society
1

I think we all know what a Deus Ex Machina is. So that’s out of the way.

But…are there any surviving Greek or Roman plays—that have been translated into English, I should ask—where I can see the granddaddy of all Plot Devices, in action?

Well, I think that’s about all it…thanks for your patience,
Ranchoth

2

In Euripides’ Medea, the sun god sends Medea a chariot to escape so that she is not punished for the murders of the king, his daughter and her children.

3

The Illiad is filled with these things: all sorts of Trojan and Greek heroes were handicapped or assisted by their gods

4

Despite being an English major, I’m unfamiliar with labeling plot elements as deus ex machinas, but I have to say Gilgamesh’s journey to the world of the Gods in “The Epic of Gilgamesh” qualifies.

5

Ranchoth, you should have taken a closer look at your own link.

It says “deus ex machina was Word of the Day on November 7, 2000.” Clicking on that link brings up http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2000/11/07.html and that says:

A quick Google gives you Kiso provides a thorough analysis of Euripides’ use of the deus ex machina.

P.S. greehphan. Sue your school.

6

In this parody of The Matrix: Revolutions (which contains spoilers, of course),

the “voice of the machines” which allows Neo to go into the matrix to fight Smith one last time is referred to as “Deus Ex Machina.”

Of course, they were just trying to be funny, but does that count as a use of a deus ex machina plot device?

7

I’ve read on the boards that in the credits, it’s listed as “deus ex machina” - I guess crediting whoever voiced it.

8

I recommend that link TJdude825 found, great parody! Someone should contact that guy and tell him to become a poster here!