Mentor (Odyssey)

A 1956 illustration of Telemachus and Mentor

In the Odyssey, Mentor (Greek: Μέντωρ, Méntōr; gen.: Μέντορος)^[1] was the son of Alcimus. In his old age Mentor was a friend of Odysseus. When Odysseus left for the Trojan War, he placed Mentor in charge of his son Telemachus^[2] and of Odysseus' palace.^[3]

Athena's appearance as Mentor should not be confused with her appearance as Mentes in the first book of the Odyssey.^[4]

Mentor as term

Mentor has been adopted in Latin and other languages, including English, as a term for someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less-experienced colleague.

The first recorded modern usage of the term is in a 1699 book entitled Les Aventures de Télémaque by the French writer François Fénelon.^[5] In the book the lead character is that of Mentor. This book was popular during the 18th century and the modern application of the term can be traced to this publication.^[5]

References

↑ "Online Etymology Dictionary - Mentor". Archived from the original on 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
↑ Gods and Mortals in Classical Mythology; Michael Grant and John Hazel, editors; Merriam-Webster, Springfield (Massachusetts), 1993; p. 279: "MENTOR An old Ithacan of noble family whom Odysseus appointed to bring up Telemachus... in his absence... Athena, on occasion, impersonated him."
↑ The New Century Classical Handbook; Catherine Avery, editor; Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, 1962, p. 702: "MENTOR...In the Odyssey, an Ithacan to whom Odysseus, when about to depart for the Trojan War, entrusted the care of his house and his son Telemachus. His name has become a synonym for a faithful advisor."
↑ Odyssey, 1.179ff.
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Roberts, Andy. (1999) "The origins of the term mentor". History of Education Society Bulletin, No. 64, November 1999, pp. 313–329.

External links

Homer’s Mentor: Duties Fulfilled or Misconstrued—An on-line version of Andy Roberts' paper (see the References section)

Template:Characters in the Odyssey

[1] "Online Etymology Dictionary - Mentor". Archived from the original on 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2008-02-20.

[2] Gods and Mortals in Classical Mythology; Michael Grant and John Hazel, editors; Merriam-Webster, Springfield (Massachusetts), 1993; p. 279: "MENTOR An old Ithacan of noble family whom Odysseus appointed to bring up Telemachus... in his absence... Athena, on occasion, impersonated him."

[3] The New Century Classical Handbook; Catherine Avery, editor; Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, 1962, p. 702: "MENTOR...In the Odyssey, an Ithacan to whom Odysseus, when about to depart for the Trojan War, entrusted the care of his house and his son Telemachus. His name has become a synonym for a faithful advisor."

[4] Odyssey, 1.179ff.

[roberts_1999-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Roberts, Andy. (1999) "The origins of the term mentor". History of Education Society Bulletin, No. 64, November 1999, pp. 313–329.

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Mentor (Odyssey)

Mentor as term

References

External links

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