The Importance of Myth in Movies
Every day we do not realize the significance of mythology in our lives. The placement of mythology in movies and the incorporation of Deus Ex Machina as an ending creates a symbiotic relationship within film. Deus Ex Machina has withstood the trials of time and will continue to do so. Foreshadowing comes into play with Deus Ex Machina endings and is of value to myth. Many movies with hints of myth have seeped unknowingly into our lives and hearts.
Deus Ex Machina is generally used when a storyteller has dug himself a deep hole in the plot and has no other logical way to get out of a story. The storyteller has no other choice but to use an improbable event to reach resolution. Oftentimes, this strategy was used during Greek plays. When things would go awry on stage, a God would either be wheeled from above or below the stage, via machine, and fix the problem. Hence, Deus Ex Machina loosely translates to, "God out of the machine.” Such endings make critics’ skins crawl and are considered to be a lazy way out of a difficult plot. What most viewers don’t realize is that it happens all the time in movies. In fact, many movies with Deus Ex Machina endings have become major blockbuster hits, despite their mythological conclusions. To be truthful, I loathed such endings and would dismiss the ideas behind such laziness. Through the knowledge that Professor Sexson has instilled in all of us, I actually became quite fond of such endings. By placing Deus Ex Machina into a film, humans are intertwining their own hands into the movie, predestining themselves as Gods. Deus Ex Machina is beneficial to the audience because it allows us to know that we exist outside of another level of thinking. Myth is commonly introduced into many movies as a way to further the climax. Humans crave mysticism and spiritual connotations. By living vicariously through myth, we are providing substantial evidence that we will continue in a never-ending timeline. The form of Deus Ex Machina also gives the necessary tools to the artist to reveal how the world truly envelops us. However, many critics not only dispute the "quick-fix" conclusion, but they disagree on whether or not foreshadowing is an element of Deus Ex Machina.
This conflict about foreshadowing intricately placed into movies with Deus Ex Machina themes, is appalling. As the lead actors of our own lives, we are constantly bombarded with hints of what will come. Ignoring the hints in life is truly the chaos of our reality. If everyone knew what their futures held, there would be no adventure or mystical tones in life. Where would the fun be in listening to the warnings of friends and family? The experience in life would be dull, and no one would learn from their mistakes. If Europa had looked at her basket with the story of Io and Jove, then her story would never have unfolded. By ignoring the foreshadowing literally placed under her nose, she has given a timeless tale that encourages obliviousness. Movies are always riddled with hints of what the hero will face or need to rise up against.
Movies are heavily influenced by Greek mythology without the viewer's awareness. One story that is repeatedly popular in movies, is the story of Pygmalion. An artist that falls in love with a statue that he sculpted. Pretty Woman is very similar to Pygmalion's story, and the unlikelihood of making a prostitute a housewife. O Brother, Where Art Thou has the Odyssey to thank for its success, and the flood that conveniently saved them from being hanged. Many movies follow the ever impressive, heroes' quest. The lead character in Aliens is uncannily parallel to Perseus slaying Medusa. The hero Ripley butchers the alien with ease in a giant mechanical suit, which a background character just so happened to ask in the beginning, "if she knew how to use it." In the movie IT, by Stephen King, the heroic children slay the evil giant spider with a childish slingshot. This scene reminds me of Hercules killing the hydra, on the basis of feeling so small and up against a large monster. One of the most obvious of comparisons is The Labyrinth, and its relation to Theseus and his travel through the labyrinth. The main character in the movie has a "hard time" remembering her lines, and finally realizes that these lines are the key to defeating the goblin king. This movie is plagued with foreshadowing, especially in the beginning. Her bedroom is full of mythical toys and books, that grab the viewer's attention. The dog's name even changes from Merlin to Ambrosius, two names that are very saturated in myth.
The Matrix holds a candle to all of the mythology hero stories. All of the names of ships and characters, are deeply marked with myth. Neo's fate is to return back into The Matrix and reboot the system, much like the timeline of the hero returning to the beginning. Poor Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz could swap stories with Europa. If both girls had just taken the time to look down, they would realize their fates and go home. There are so many more movies that are infused with mythology and Deus Ex Machina, and inserting all of them would be a daunting task. The fact that mythology has influenced so many movies, only confirms its importance.
Mythology has familiarized all of us to its entrancing qualities. The fact that modern movies are heavily influenced by myth, is not surprising. By placing Deus Ex Machina in a story, we are repeating the history of myth. In keeping myth alive, we are keeping to the traditions of storytelling. Myth gives us the basis of our existence a kind of meaning. Don't forget to ignore the hints in life, otherwise you will miss out on the adventure.
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