For the young hero, the elder prophet is not necessarily an ally. He (or, often, she) can also be a lethal enemy, as Medea was for Theseus and as the crone sorcerers were in Snow White and The Wizard of Oz. Yet more often, as Campbell notes, the young hero’s close bond with a wise elder is essential to his ultimate success. Like Merlin, he will be a loving teacher. Like Obi-Wan Kenobi, he will feel the unseen Force of the universe. Like Gandalf, he will rescue the young hero through mysterious mental powers. Like Mickey’s Sorcerer, he will warn against the dangers of hubris. In the end, the
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