Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
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 ) .
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
annaabi.ee 
