Sisyphus
August 2, 2022
The story of Sisyphus is often seen as a tragedy. It's commonly told as a tale invoking pity for Sisyphus, who was condemned by the gods to eternally roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to tumble down each time he neared the top. A Sisyphean task refers to a task that is impossible; one that subjects you to a similar eternal torture as Sisyphus experienced.
However, the story of Sisyphus contains an aspect that is frequently overlooked. His torturous sentence to endlessly roll a boulder up a hill for eternity is unfortunate, but it's not entirely a tragedy. Sisyphus, known for his cunning, evaded death not once, but twice before his ultimate fate. He outsmarted death twice, even managing to imprison death in a closet. Sisyphus spent his days on Earth indulging in a life of hedonism and trickery, much to the displeasure of the gods.
During his third encounter with death, the gods presented him with a choice: enter the afterlife and live in the Elysian Fields, or accept a challenge that, if completed, would grant him immortality and the ability to live forever on Earth among men as a god.
Sisyphus, being both intelligent and arrogant, naturally accepted the challenge. His desire was to defeat the gods once and for all and continue his life on Earth as he had been. However, the challenge was a ruse. He was tasked with rolling a boulder up a hill, winning if he reached the top. The gods, however, ensured this would never happen.
The tale of Sisyphus serves as a metaphor for life and humanity. We all push our own boulders up hills, only to see them roll back down, day after day. In "The Myth of Sisyphus," Camus argues against feeling pity for Sisyphus, instead suggesting we imagine him content in his endeavor, even though he may never achieve his goal. The French existentialist posits that everyone can find joy in the eternal struggle to reach the top of our personal mountains, and that we should not be preoccupied with outcomes that may be unattainable. The journey is what counts, and we need to savor our daily experiences to be truly happy.
I propose an even deeper interpretation. Sisyphus is no fool, and we know he's an audacious man who accepted the gods' challenge, fully intending to push the boulder to the hill's summit. He's not just appreciating the difficulty of the task, as Camus suggests, but is actively striving every day to reach the top. Sisyphus took on the challenge, believing in his ability to succeed, and to this day, he continues to push the boulder with that same resolve.
Each day, Sisyphus grows stronger. Each day, he identifies mistakes he's made. And each day, he gets slightly closer to the hill's summit. With each attempt, he combats gravity, feeling increasingly optimistic about his Sisyphean task, truly believing he can reach the top and attain immortality. And you know what? I don't blame him; I believe he can do it too.
The metaphor of Sisyphus is often interpreted as a cautionary tale against challenging the gods or acting foolishly. Yet, many Sisyphean tasks are far from futile. They begin as seemingly impossible challenges but, through sheer determination, are ultimately overcome. Countless individuals have conquered their metaphorical boulders, achieving tasks once deemed impossible and thus living on in our memories as immortals. Humanity can only be grateful for these individuals and strive to foster others willing to do the same in the future. This way, we as humans can all ascend the hill together, aiming for a utopian future where we all, in a sense, achieve immortality.