Examples of ‘deus ex machina’ in ancient Greek drama
Q. What are some other examples of deus ex machina in ancient Greek drama?
What is 'Deus ex Machina'?
'Deus ex Machina' is a Latin word, which means "the deity came from the machine". It is a theatrical technique used especially in ancient Greek plays. When the crisis in a story gets too deep and the characters do not have a solution, then suddenly a deity or miraculous character appears and solves the problem. This is called 'Deus ex Machina'. This technique was used to bring a dramatic turn in the drama and to end the story suddenly.
Deus ex Machina's origin and use:
In ancient Greece, a crane (Machina) was used to present the gods on the stage. This technique made the actors flying in the air - as if a god was coming from heaven and helping. Hence it was called 'Deus ex Machina'. Its aim was to present a sudden solution to an impossible situation.
This technique was used by many Greek dramatics, such as - Euripides, Sophocles and Aeschylus. Euripides is particularly known for this technique. Now we will look at the examples of some major Greek plays where this technique was used.
1. "Medea" of Euripides
This drama is the story of a woman who killed her own children to take revenge from her husband, Jason. Finally Medea is in a situation where it seems that it will be caught and will be punished. But then a sun-chariot descends into the air, which is sent by Helios (Sun God)-the grandfather of Medea. Medea climbs in that chariot and escapes.
Here 'Deus ex Machina' not only saves her, but also indicates to the audience that Medea, despite her actions, has the support of some divine power. This makes the audience think whether she was right or wrong.
2. "Hippolytus" of Euripides
In this play, Phaedra, who is the stepmother of Hippolytus, defames him by lying. His father is Theseus, curses him and eventually Hippolytus dies.
But at the end of the play, the goddess Artemis appears and tells the whole truth. She says that Hippolytus was innocent and all this happened due to Aphrodite. Artemis not only reveals the truth, but also gives Theseus an opportunity to apologize.
The sudden appearance of Artemis here is 'Deus ex Machina' - she not only presents the solution to the story but also establishes justice. It gives the audience some satisfaction despite the tragedy.
3. "Alcestis" of Euripides
Alcestis is a woman who is willing to give her life for her husband Admetus. She dies, and everything seems sad.
Only then the hero Heracles appears. He makes Alcestis alive again by fighting death. The arrival of Heracles here is 'Deus ex Machina' - he makes the story happy by finishing the tragic end.
This technique not only surprises the audience but also shows how divine intervention in plays can change human life.
4. "Philoctetes” of Sophocles
In this play, Odysseus and Neoptolemus, try to convince ‘Philoctetes’ for the War of Troy. But when it does not matter, Heracles suddenly come and explains to him that he should participate in war, because it is the will of the gods.
This intervention of Heracles not only pursues the story, but also shows that the role of the gods is not only in the solution of the crisis, but also in deciding the hero's destiny.
Deus ex Machina criticism:
Although this technique was common in ancient Greek plays, but there started criticism about this technique. The great philosopher Aristotle said in his book “Poetics” that the story of the play should be resolved naturally with the action and circumstances of the characters, not by sudden arrival of a deity.
He said that 'Deus ex Machina' should only be used for things that are outside the story - such as giving any message, making any prediction, etc. Excessive use of this technique reduces the reliability of the play.
Finally, 'Deus ex Machina' is a theatrical technique that surprises the audience and sometimes gives relief. This shows that no matter how much humans struggle, in the end there are some powers that can change destiny.
The ancient Greek playwrights used this technique because they believed that the gods interfere in human life. But from a modern point of view, this technique can sometimes look artificial. Nevertheless, it has an important place in the history of literature and drama.
Questions and answers based on 'Deus ex Machina',
Q 1: What is the meaning of 'Deus ex Machina' and how was this technique used?
Answer: 'Deus ex Machina' is a Latin word which means "the deity came from the machine". When an ancient Greek plays had a complex or impossible situation in the story, a deity or miraculous vessel suddenly appeared and solved the problem. The deity was descended from the air through a crane on the stage, so it was called 'Deus ex Machina'.
Q 2: In which drama of Euripides, Medea has been rescued through 'Deus ex Machina'?
Answer:The play "Medea" of Euripides uses 'Deus ex Machina'. When Medea kills her children, she is going to be caught. But then the chariot of the Sun God Helios comes and the Medea flies in it. This is 'Deus ex Machina' - a sudden and save the heroine from the crisis.
Q 3: Who plays the role of Deus Ex Machina in the "Hippolytus" drama?
Answer: The goddess Artemis in the play "Hippolytus" appears at the end and the whole truth suggests that Hippolytus was innocent and Phaedra lied. She explains Theseus, father of Hippolytus and establishes justice. Her intervention is 'Deus ex Machina'.
Q 4: In which drama does Heracles appear like Deus EX Machina and solve the problem?
Answer: In the play "Alcestis" of Euripides, Heracles plays 'Deus ex Machina'. He brings Alcestis back from death and transforms the play from tragic end to happy ending.
Q 5: What did Aristotle criticize about 'Deus ex Machina'?
Answer: Aristotle had said that the drama should be resolved by the deeds and events of the characters, not by the sudden arrival of a deity. He considered 'Deus ex Machina' to be artificial and unnecessary, and said that it should only be used for things that are outside the story - such as predicting or message.
Q 6: In which drama of Sophocles, Heracles comes as ‘Deus ex Machina’ and why?
Answer: In the play “Philoctetes” of Sophocles, Heracles appears at the end and celebrates Philoctetes to participate in the Troy war. This intervention of Heracles is 'Deus ex Machina', which gives a new twist to the story and presents a solution.
Q 7: Does 'Deus ex Machina' still used in plays or films? (From modern perspective)
Answer: Yes, even today this technique is used in some plays, movies and novels, when the author wants to show a sudden solution to a difficult situation. However, in modern literature it is often considered a subject of criticism, as it can make the story unnatural.
*****
Read also:
👉 What is 'deux ex machina'? | Use of ‘deux ex machina’ in Euripedes' Medea
👉 Euripides' Medea | as a revenge tragedy
👉 Medea, an ancient Greek tragedy | Important Characters
👉 The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia | Characters and Short Summary
👉 The Pearl | George Herbert’s view upon the God
👉 Cleopatra | The 'rise and fall' of a Mysterious Woman in History
👉 The Spanish Tragedy | as a revenge play