Deus ex Machina - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Manwe Sulimo · 02-21-2003, 08:56 AM

This brings to mind Bored of the Rings, in which the eagle that saved Frito and Spam (Frodo and Sam) was part of the "Deux ex Machina Airlines", or something to that effect. That one use (or two, if you count the dwarves in the trees) can be very easily interpreted as Deux ex Machina. I think that the eagles earned their pay in that departement.

But then, think of the Balrogs. They filled that role for Morgoth, don't you think? I mean, they killed a great many Elf heroes, and always seemed to show up in time to do lots of damage to the good guys.

Then there's Gandalf (the Balrog, the Lord of the Nazgûl, the battle of Helm's Deep), who actually is, literally, divine.

While I think that Tolkien wrote excellent stories, he did use Deux ex Machina a lot (in my opinion, of course). But it works.

[ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Manwe Sulimo ]

02-21-2003, 08:56 AM	#4
Manwe Sulimo Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Taurelilómëa-tumbalemorna Tumbaletaurëa Lómëanor Posts: 553	This brings to mind Bored of the Rings, in which the eagle that saved Frito and Spam (Frodo and Sam) was part of the "Deux ex Machina Airlines", or something to that effect. That one use (or two, if you count the dwarves in the trees) can be very easily interpreted as Deux ex Machina. I think that the eagles earned their pay in that departement. But then, think of the Balrogs. They filled that role for Morgoth, don't you think? I mean, they killed a great many Elf heroes, and always seemed to show up in time to do lots of damage to the good guys. Then there's Gandalf (the Balrog, the Lord of the Nazgûl, the battle of Helm's Deep), who actually is, literally, divine. While I think that Tolkien wrote excellent stories, he did use Deux ex Machina a lot (in my opinion, of course). But it works. [ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Manwe Sulimo ] __________________ "Monkeys learn sign language so they can tell the dolphins they love them."