Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
a n d he is so d i s c o u r a g e d he wants to a b a n d o n the mission (Refusal of the C a l l ) .
Once again the story seems stuck, a n d A t h e n a unsticks it by taking the form of
Telemachus' teacher Mentor. In this disguise she drums some courage into him and
helps him assemble a ship and crew. Therefore, even though Mentor is the name we
give to wise counselors and guides, it is really the goddess Athena who acts here.
Athena is the full, undiluted energy of the archetype. If she appeared in her
true form, it would probably blast the skin off the bones of the strongest hero. T h e
gods usually speak to us through the filter of other people who are temporarily filled
with a godlike spirit. A good teacher or Mentor is enthused about learning. T h e won
derful thing is that this feeling can be communicated to students or to an audience.
T h e names M e n t e s and Mentor, along with our word "mental," stem from
annaabi.ee 
