MENTOR (mythical son of Alcimus, in the Odyssey)

Mentor was urged to help the young man depart on his journey.² He promised to find the best ship available and accompany Telemachus, instructing him to prepare provisions and avoid the foolish suitors.⁶ Though he claimed Odysseus was his old friend, Mentor was accused by a suitor of foolishly trying to stop them from eating.^6,2 A goddess assumed his physical appearance and voice to summon Telemachus to exit the house.⁷

Noemon reported seeing Mentor board a ship for Pylos, though he admitted a god resembling Mentor might have taken his place.⁸ Athena also assumed the appearance and voice of Mentor to approach men and negotiate peace.^6,4,9 An immortal god stood beside Odysseus during the conflict, taking Mentor’s form to encourage him and attack the suitors.¹⁰

After the suitors defeated Odysseus and Telemachus, Agelaus threatened to kill Mentor and expel his daughters and widow from Ithaca.¹¹ The suitors had planned to seize all of Mentor’s property and mix it with Odysseus’ estate.¹¹ Odysseus requested Mentor’s help, addressing him as an old comrade, yet Mentor departed without providing actual assistance, having only bragged rather than acted.^4,12

Mentor advised the Ithacans to restrain their sons from wasting the chieftain’s property, but they refused to listen to his warnings.¹³ He warned the men not to fight against Odysseus to avoid bringing evil upon themselves.¹³ He was expected to fight Odysseus’ foes and repay kindnesses shown to him.¹