The Latin phrase deus ex machina was originally used to describe a specific plot device used in Roman and Greek theater. Many Greek and Roman tragedy writers used this device to resolve complicated plots, which could not be resolved otherwise. Today, the same phrase is used to describe a fictional situation where we are presented with something completely unexpected but also implausible, which suddenly helps resolve the plot. The resolution usually comes in the form of a new event or character.
The first example of a deus ex machina is the arrival of Banjo. Sheridan Whiteside, up to this point, has been an insufferable tyrant to everyone around him, including his assistant Maggie. He has, in fact, broken up Maggie's relationship with Jefferson by bringing Lorraine Sheldon into the picture, a vain and superficial (albeit beautiful) actress. There is no apparent way to solve the situation, and, in any case, Whiteside appears not to care about anyone but himself, so there really would be no reason for him to suddenly become a decent human being. However, Banjo, his friend who is also a famous Hollywood comedian, pushes Whiteside to be a better person. Together, they decide to do something to eliminate Lorraine, as she now represents a big problem for Maggie's relationship.
At this point we encounter the second deus ex machina. Banjo and Whiteside decide that the best way to get rid of Lorraine is to trap her in an ancient mummy case, which conveniently has been delivered to Whiteside earlier in the story (although not for that purpose). Even more conveniently, Banjo happens to have a plane, so the next step is to put the mummy case containing Lorraine on his plane and then fly her out to Nova Scotia. As is plain to see, this is a totally implausible situation; however, it allows the plot to detangle and find its resolution.
Deus ex machina refers to a plot device where a complex problem or tricky situation is rapidly resolved via the swift involvement of some unanticipated turn of events, or via the appearance of a character or item. This plot device is called deus ex machina because the turn of events is so sudden and unexpected, it’s as if the hand of God is intervening in the narrative. The play The Man Who Came to Dinner, by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart contains several moments of deus ex machina. One example would be the sudden unexpected arrival of the film comedian Banjo, who comes to the immediate aid of Sherry, acting as an important force in resolving the third act. Another incident of this device is when Sherry suddenly notices the picture of Harriet Stanley in her youth and suddenly realizes she is an infamous killer and thus blackmails her successfully, allowing Sherry and Banjo to move the Egyptian mummy case onto Banjo’s plane. The final and most memorable incident of this device is when all the most pressing elements of the plot are resolved and Sherry slips on a patch of ice again, mimicking the inciting incident of the first act.
A deus ex machina is an unexpected event in the final act of a play or movie that could be considered contrived and a way to wrap up the plot. One example in the third act of The Man Who Came to Dinner is the use of the Egyptian mummy case sent to Sherry from the Khedive of Egypt. Sherry, who is repentant about having allowed Lorraine to try to seduce Bert, gets Banjo to help him lock Lorraine in the mummy case. The mummy case is a deus ex machina that the playwright uses to get rid of Lorraine so that Maggie and Bert can get married. The second example of a deus ex machina is the photograph of Harriet Stanley that Sherry catches sight of. He then suddenly realizes that she was a murderess and uses this information to convince Mr. Stanley to help him get the mummy case, which contains Lorraine, onto a plane. A final example of a deus ex machina is when Sherry slips on the stairs on the way out and threatens the Stanley family with another lawsuit unless they let him stay.
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