# Do any original "Deus ex Machina's" exist? (The Plot device itself, not the machine) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 23, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605 "2003-12-23T04:57:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605/1 "2003-12-23T04:57:14Z")
I think we all know what a [Deus Ex Machina](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=deus%20ex%20machina) 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 ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605/2 "2003-12-23T05:39:33Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4491bb/32.png) [@First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/First_Amongst_Daves)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605/3 "2003-12-23T08:38:04Z")
The Illiad is filled with these things: all sorts of Trojan and Greek heroes were handicapped or assisted by their gods ---
**Author:** ![greenphan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c37758/32.png) [@greenphan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenphan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605/4 "2003-12-23T14:17:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605/5 "2003-12-23T17:05:51Z")
**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](http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2000/11/07.html) and that says: > [@](#): > > Trivia: The dramatic device dates from the 5th century BC and is especially associated with Euripides, one of the greatest classical tragedians. He wrote more than 90 plays, although only 19 survive in complete form (one of which is of disputed authorship). A quick Google gives you [Kiso provides a thorough analysis of Euripides’ use of the deus ex machina](http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/showcase/kiso1.html). P.S. **greehphan**. Sue your school. ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605/6 "2003-12-23T23:17:07Z")
In [this parody of **The Matrix: Revolutions**](http://www.dynamicobjects.com/d2r/archives/002413.html) (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? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605/7 "2003-12-24T04:59:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TJdude825 \* > \*\*In [this parody of **The Matrix: Revolutions**](http://www.dynamicobjects.com/d2r/archives/002413.html) (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? \*\* I’ve read on the boards that in the credits, it’s listed as “deus ex machina” - I guess crediting whoever voiced it. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-original-deus-ex-machinas-exist-the-plot-device-itself-not-the-machine/220605/8 "2003-12-24T07:33:48Z")
I recommend that link **TJdude825** found, great parody! Someone should contact that guy and tell him to become a poster here!