The Invisible Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘Odyssey’

I know that you must be wondering,”What an odd name for a post.” I do not think that I have ever related the story behind the name Mentor.

In Homer’s Odyssey, when Odysseus also known as Ulysses, the Greek King of Ithaca, left to fight in the 10-year Trojan War, he left his old friend Mentor in charge of his household and his young son Telemachus. Mentor as himself is not mentioned that much in the Odyssey, which I have read. However, it is interesting that in this epic poem, the immortal Goddess Athena, disguises herself as Mentor, and encourages Telemachus to stand up to the men who are courting his mother Penelope. The goddess also encourages the youth  to go abroad to seek word about what has happened to his father, who at the time had now been away for almost 20 years.

Athena also acts as a “mentor” to Odyssey as he goes through the many trials during a very saga-filled return to Ithaca after the war. The modern usage of mentor – trusted friend, counsellor, guide, or teacher – first appeared in François Fénelon’s Les Aventures de Telemaque in 1699 Wikipedia  (2009).

Have you ever read Homer’s Odyssey? What are your thoughts? Who was more of a mentor to Telemachus, Mentor or Athena? In the modern sense of the word, who could you mentor, who could you take under your wings? Though this isn’t a book review, I do recommend that you read Homer’s Odyssey, it’s quite a tale. This book teaches a great lesson in perseverance. Many obstacles were placed in front of Odyssey, which delayed his return home and it makes you wonder how much is enough. How persistent and resilient are you?

What are your thoughts on Greek Gods and Goddesses? Overall, do you think that they were fair in the way they dealt with others? If you haven’t read any Greek Mythology, it would be worth it if you checked them out on Wikipedia. I recently saw Clash of the Titans, which involved some Greek characters as well, have you seen that movie?

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