Example of Deus Ex Machina

The literary figure "deus ex machina”(Pronounced more or less“ Deus ex makina), is a device in which, in a theatrical or literary plot, an event occurs out of logic, or at least out of the sequence of events of the argument. These events can be the arrival of a divine or spiritual being, the intervention of a new character, an animal, a cataclysm, etc.

The expression originated in classical Greek theater, in works in which, when the protagonist (s) already were lost or to be defeated, a god appeared who repaired or intervened by modifying the events. The machine to which the expression refers is the crane with which, by means of a harness, the actor who represented the god was lowered to the stage. The expression translates to "(the arrival of) god from the machine."

Although it is already mentioned that at the origin of him he is a superhuman entity, that with his sole decision he can change events, such as It happens frequently in ancient classical theater, in which the gods modified the elements to benefit some character, a fortuitous and unknown magician in the plot, who through spells or powers fixes or benefits the situation, or the appearance of a ghost; the deus ex machina also refers to events that are not magical, but also substantially affect the plot: appearance of a character at the end of the plot, who turns out to have the solution or to be the culprit, the appearance of a cataclysm or natural that alters the plot (a tremor, a lightning strike), or even a minor event, such as the passing of an animal or the fall of a object.

Example of deus ex machina:

Everything is over. Oscar had in front of him, ten feet away, pointing at him, the .45 caliber pistol that Gerardo was pointing at him. There was nowhere to run. Moving anywhere would only hasten his death. But what's the point of prolonging it? In an instant, the entire mission passed through his mind: his arrival at the airport, contact with the police, the location of the hiding place, the release of the hostages... he did not count on the fact that when he chased Gerardo on the rooftops, he had prepared a space in a nearby building for his escape. Anyway. The mission is accomplished and he was aware of the risk. He only regretted one thing. The memory of Margarita. He was brave, almost reckless to carry out the mission, but one day before leaving, like many days Before, he did not have the courage to tell Margarita how much he likes her, that he wants to go out with her, that he wants know her.

He remembered his smile. “He won't be with me. With whom you choose, be happy. " He believed that would be the last thought of him. The next blink was eternal. He barely closed his eyes, the roar of the detonation was heard. He expected the blow and that the suffering would not last too long. It was a very long moment. When he half-opened his eyes, about a meter from where he was, he caught sight of a flash that hit and bounced off the wall. How could he have missed a shot almost point-blank? When he opened his eyes fully, he saw Gerardo drop the gun and put his hands to his face.

He pounced on Gerardo, subdued him and was finally able to request support.

For a moment he froze, not believing what happened. The instant Oscar blinked, a pigeon flying above them defecated in the air and the feces fell on Gerardo's eyes, causing him to shoot missing the shot.

As soon as Oscar returned, the first thing he did was invite Margarita for coffee.