In our previous posts about hero archetypes, we looked at the anti-hero and the byronic hero (who, while not strictly an archetype, is a pretty interesting dude). Now, I would like us to examine another fascinating archetype, one that I'm sure will appeal to many @adsactly readers – The Mentor.
While a hero himself, the mentor usually is different from the protagonist. He usually comes as an older individual, a wise adviser to a younger, inexperienced character (usually the hero). They usually have excellent abilities, they're fast, clever (often more so than the protagonist), but they have somehow grown too old for the task at hand or they can't perform it (and be the protagonist themselves) because they have other things to do. They must fulfill some other part that fits into the larger story.
The mentor normally helps the hero, though often challenging his choices along the way, making sure he is on the right path. He usually offers invaluable advice and guidance to the hero and thus becomes crucial to him, and the story itself. Think a professor, a wise old man, often with a long beard. Or the guy in all those kung-fu movies who must teach the young hero to fight and embrace his destiny. That's the mentor.
Oh and before we look at some examples for this particular archetype, did you know the word 'mentor' comes from Homer's Odyssey? Mentor is a trusted friend and adviser of Odysseus who, during the Trojan War, stays home in Ithaca to watch over Odysseus' young son, Telemachus. At some point in the story, Telemachus seeks Mentor's advice, not knowing that it is actually the goddess Athena (goddess of wisdom) disguised as old Mentor. Just a fact.
1. Gandalf the Gray (The Hobbit&The Lord of the Rings)
Gandalf is quite simply the mentor, he's normally the first example that comes to mind and a truly great one. Gandalf is old and wise, though his age is not what's stopping him from fulfilling the quest. He can not take the Ring to Mordor himself and destroy it because his power is too great.
For short, the Ring reacts to its bearer and to the power they carry. And obviously, wizards have a lot more power than little hobbits, so the Ring would be a lot more dangerous if it was carried by Gandalf himself (readers/viewers probably notice that, in the Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf refuses Frodo when he offers him the Ring, warning him not to tempt him).
But despite his inability to carry out the destruction of the Ring himself, Gandalf plays a very important part in the story, often advising Frodo (words that stay with the hero even after the two are separated) and helping him as best he can. Like a good mentor, he questions Frodo and pushes him to think further, just like he did with his uncle Bilbo, many years before. It's interesting to note the many similarities between Gandalf's relationship with Bilbo and his relationship with Frodo, sixty years later. He then goes on to help him from afar, destroying Saruman's staff and waging war from the other side on the armies of Mordor, defending Middle-Earth. In the end, even saving Frodo and Sam from Mordor, which is slowly destroying itself after the Ring is gone.
2. Haymitch Abernathy (The Hunger Games)
Another interesting representation of the mentor archetype is Haymitch, in Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. Throughout the series, he serves as adviser (though with a lesser beard) to young Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist of this particular story, and to Peeta Mellark.
He cannot fulfill the mission himself because he is too old. The truth is he too was once in the hero's position (which is a common mentor-trait) having been a tribute himself and having won the hunger games by “outsmarting the others”. But that day is gone and even though he wishes to help Katniss, he can only do so from the sidelines (by giving her advice, by finding sponsors for her while Katniss is in the arena etc).
A mentor is someone who was lived more than the hero (like in real life, I suppose) and can offer sage advice through the experience he has gathered. Being once a tribute himself, Haymitch can offer invaluable on-point advice to Katniss.
And, like with all mentor-hero relationships, the bond between Katniss and Haymitch eventually wanes, and although he continues to offer advice and support her, she does not trust him as much. This is necessary in any such relationship, because it's the only way the hero can learn to go his own way and discover what he is truly capable of. For that to happen, every mentor must eventually die, either figuratively or for real, just as Gandalf “dies” in the Mines of Moria, leaving Frodo to fend for himself.
Haymitch is interesting because he is a more flawed mentor, alcoholism being the most notable of his problems. Again, this is a common trait among some mentor figures, as we'll see in the next example.
3. Albus Dumbledore & Hagrid (Harry Potter series)
No, I did not mean Dumbledore, of course I didn't. I meant Hagrid, who is also flawed (interestingly, also a heavy drinker). I put the two in the same paragraph because they both serve as mentors to Harry Potter, even though they have different purposes. Hagrid was also in Harry's shoes, being once a student at Hogwarts, and now has the task of watching over the young hero (on Dumbledore's orders, no less) and ensuring his survival and well-being.
They are two sides of the same coin, Hagrid leaning towards the more “real” type of mentor, who provides Harry with advice based on his own life experience, and although flawed, is very important in the hero's journey. And then, there is Dumbledore, the wise one, as it were, another wizard with a long beard and a very smart head. Another wizard who must tragically die, this time for real, in order for the hero to understand his full potential and stop relying on his mentor.
There are many examples to be found of the mentor archetype in popular modern culture, such as Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars or Mufasa in The Lion King. A great example of the mentor archetype is Merlin in the legend of King Arthur.
Undoubtedly, they all have a key role to play in the unfolding of events, preparing the heroes for the journeys and battles that are to come, imparting knowledge and helping them find their own way.
So, who is your favorite book/movie mentor?
Authored by @honeydue
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