Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
behind the scenes to bring the energy of the M e n t o r archetype into the story.
" T h e goddess with the flashing eyes" has a big crush on Odysseus, and an
interest in getting h i m home safely. She also looks out for his son Telemachus. She
finds the son's story stuck in the opening scenes (the Ordinary W o r l d ) of The Odyssey
when the household is overrun by arrogant young suitors for his mother's hand. Ath
ena decides to unstick the situation by taking human form. An important function
of the M e n t o r archetype is to get the story rolling.
First she assumes the appearance o f a traveling warrior n a m e d M e n t e s ,
to issue a stirring challenge to s t a n d up to the suitors and seek his father ( C a l l
to A d v e n t u r e ) . Telemachus accepts the challenge but the suitors laugh h i m off
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 ) .
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