Can you help me understand what Deus ex Machina is and give me some examples of it from the Odyssey?
1 Answer
Deus ex machina is when a force comes in to 'save the day' (for lack of a better phrase) unexpectedly, and I'd say any example of this from the Odyssey is interference from the gods.
Explanation:
To better understand Deus Ex Machina, perhaps this definition from urban dictionary can help you: "Dates from ancient Greek times, where "deus ex machina" ("god from the machine") in a play referred to the act of lowering a god on stage using a cable device (therefore, a god from a machine) to decide in a dilemma and give fate a nudge, so to say."
The first thing that comes to mind in the Odyssey is the fact that many gods help to nudge Odysseus' story along -- like Poseidon's anger & shipwrecking Odysseus, and stuff like that. One example you might use is Athena's constant guidance over Telemachus.
