Narrow Focus: Mentor Archetype (Joseph Campbell)
Years ago, I watched a fascinating PBS documentary with Joseph Campbell, titled "The Power of Myth". By mainly using the Star Wars movies, Campbell outlined the basic traits of both plot and characters in both ancient and modern storytelling (myths). I learned more in this one program than probably all of my English classes combined. I still recognize elements of it in most stories today. It's pretty much a step by step on how to write a compelling narrative for nearly any genre.
For this challenge, I've listed examples of the Mentor.
4). The hero is encouraged by the Wise Old Man or Woman. (MEETING WITH THE MENTOR.)
By this time many stories will have introduced a Merlin-like character who is the hero’s mentor. In JAWS it’s the crusty Robert Shaw character who knows all about sharks; in the mythology of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, it’s Lou Grant. The mentor gives advice and sometimes magical weapons. This is Obi Wan giving Luke his father’s light saber.
The mentor can go so far with the hero. Eventually the hero must face the unknown by himself. Sometimes the Wise Old Man/Woman is required to give the hero a swift kick in the pants to get the adventure going.
Source
Notes: Font text is based upon the inspiration word. Scroll over image to see the word; click image to take you to font used (all fonts from dafont.com).
For this challenge, I've listed examples of the Mentor.
4). The hero is encouraged by the Wise Old Man or Woman. (MEETING WITH THE MENTOR.)
By this time many stories will have introduced a Merlin-like character who is the hero’s mentor. In JAWS it’s the crusty Robert Shaw character who knows all about sharks; in the mythology of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, it’s Lou Grant. The mentor gives advice and sometimes magical weapons. This is Obi Wan giving Luke his father’s light saber.
The mentor can go so far with the hero. Eventually the hero must face the unknown by himself. Sometimes the Wise Old Man/Woman is required to give the hero a swift kick in the pants to get the adventure going.
Source
Notes: Font text is based upon the inspiration word. Scroll over image to see the word; click image to take you to font used (all fonts from dafont.com).