Deus Ex Machina

[bbf2]

I did this for my AP Literature Class and thought I would share.

Literary Term: Deus Ex Machina

Deus Ex Machina: 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. Latin for “God from Machine,” originating in Greek and Roman theater when a God would be lowered by stage machinery to solve plot problems or help the protagonist.

Example: At the climax of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (1955) by J.R.R. Tolkien, the protagonists Frodo and Sam are placed in a seemingly inescapable position trapped in the flowing lava of Mt. Doom, when suddenly a flock of magical eagles fly by and save them.

Function:
In what is traditionally considered one of the weak notes of this literary classic, these eagles act almost like the magical “Gods from machine” of classic Greek and Roman drama. While the magical eagles had been briefly introduced in the “The Hobbit” (the novel preceding the Lord of the Rings trilogy) the eagles had not been properly introduced or mentioned earlier in the actual trilogy. Their sudden unexpected presence raises questions as to why they didn’t show up or factor in the plot earlier: the eagles surely would have been able to help the characters in many of their earlier struggles, why did they only show up in the direst of circumstances? The impression that the author was out of ideas at this point raises feelings weakening the novel and its plot structure. However, this Deus Ex Machina, could possibly be considered necessary and used for intended effect. Had the eagles not suddenly arrived, the protagonists Frodo and Sam would die slow deaths in the falling lava. This ending would be extremely displeasing and anticlimactic, and thus in the long run this Deus Ex Machina indeed contributes to the overall plot flow of the book.


Cheap cop out plot or necessary development? Discuss.

[flukeman]

I don't think it was a cheap cop out. It's not like the eagles suddenly showed up and completely saved the day. Frodo and Sam and Gollum had already done the hard part of destroying the ring. The Eagles were a part of that world too, and they arrive to help at the Black Gate. They rescue Frodo and Sam at the request of Gandalf, and it had already been established that Gandalf had a connection with them. I don't think it's totally unbelievable.

[MoreOrLess]

On one level it is but the fact that the eagles first arrive in order to join in with the battle helps explain it a little as if they were to lend a hand of their own free will surely it makes sense for it to happen at such an important point. Also in the book much of the battle at the black gate is viewed though Pippins eyes, his "fish out of water" position makes the sudden unexpected appearance of the eagles more tolorable IMHO.

Another potential Deus Ex Machina in both the books and the film is the PotD and Aragorn's role at Pellenor IMHO. I'd say this was actually the driving force behind many of the changes made to Aragorn's story in ROTK such as his continued unsureness about taking the kingship, the late reforging of Narsil and the dead being used directly at Pellenor. His unsureness combined with suddenly reciveing the sword of kingship help to meld the PotD more fully into the personal journey we've been witness to since FOTR.

I'm sure many will disagree but I think there was actually an even stronger potential Deus Ex Machina in his use of a human relief force at Pellenor. At least with the Dead they could be worked into the characters story but here you have a sub conflict only reffered to offscreen that ultimately leads to victory. Tolkien has the advantage of a flashback of course(I can't see that working on film) plus I think the style in which the books are written is much better able to sustain Deus Ex Machina that the more down to earth films. Don't take this as mindless defending of the films either as I was saying this months before ROTK's release.

[The Red Avenger]

The Eagle thing is hinted at earlier when Gwaihir rescues Gandalf from Orthanc - ok so we don't see them until the end again, even though they do appear to rescue Gandalf on more than one occasion in the book - Orthanc, top of Zirak Zigil (where he fought the Balrog and transformed from Grey to White.)

The Eagles appearing at the end of the Battle of the Morranon is more a parallel to THe Hobbit as what Pippin says "The Eagles, The Eagles are coming" are the same words of Bilbo before he is knocked unconsious at the Battle of Five Armies. Of curse bilbo is rescued himself along with Gandalf and the Dwarves form the Orcs outside the Misty Mountains so that is set up pretty well.

It is said that the Eagles themselves were solitary creatures not bothering in the affairs of Men or Elves, it is also hinted at in the further writings of Tolkien that they were servents of Manwe and merely observers. Perhaps it was Manwe who sent them to Morranon knowing that with Mount Doom erupting that the Ringbearers would not survive. As they had just saved Middle-earth th least he could do was save them.

So yes.it is a deux es Machina when you consider the God in question is the Ainur chief Manwe.
...
RA

[MoreOrLess]

So yes.it is a deux es Machina when you consider the God in question is the Ainur chief Manwe.

Smart, I'm going to use that next time someone brings this up. ;)