Final answer:
Deus Ex Machina is a literary and theatrical term from ancient Greece, translating to 'God in the machine', initially a physical mechanism in theatre. In modern usage, it refers to any unexpected and improbable plot device that resolves a story's dilemma. Aristotle critiqued this technique while also acknowledging its impact on spectacle and audience engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deus Ex Machina is a term from ancient Greek drama that literally translates to 'God in the machine'. Historically, it referred to a machine used on stage to lower an actor playing a god or goddess into the scene to resolve a hopeless situation. This term has evolved in modern literature and theatre to describe any plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is abruptly and inexplicably resolved with the unexpected intervention of a new character, ability, or object.
In ancient plays, such as the works of Sophocles, the Deus Ex Machina was often criticized by philosophers like Aristotle for being a sign of a poorly structured plot that relied on improbable twists to conclude the story. He emphasized that the resolution of a plot should arise naturally from the events of the story, not from an arbitrary external force. Yet, he acknowledged the need for spectacle to engage the audience, which sometimes justified the use of this dramatic device.
The theatrical machinery in Greek drama, such as the trap door and various other mechanisms like the periaktoi and the enkiklema, served as early forms of special effects or Deus Ex Machina, aiding in extraordinary visuals, like Medea's escape in a chariot, to impress the audience.