Story Summary
Explore the Greek myth of Sisyphus and His Boulder, the cunning king doomed to an eternal struggle. Learn how his deceit led to a lifetime of endless labor.
Sisyphus, the king of Corinth, was a man of peerless cunning and dark ambition. He betrayed the secrets of the gods and, most famously, outwitted Death itself. When Thanatos came to claim him, Sisyphus tricked the god into his own shackles, briefly halting death for all mortals. Even after being dragged to the Underworld, he convinced Persephone to let him return to the world of the living for one final errand, only to remain there until old age finally caught him. Zeus, infuriated by such hubris, devised a punishment that matched the king's relentless ego. In Tartarus, Sisyphus was condemned to push a massive boulder up a steep hill. Each time he neared the summit, the stone’s weight would overcome him, sending it crashing back to the plain below, forcing him to begin his agonizing labor anew for all eternity.
The Moral
The story warns against the arrogance of hubris and serves as a reminder that no amount of cleverness can help one escape the ultimate inevitability of fate and justice.
“No mortal trickery can outrun the relentless hand of fate.”
Fun Fact
The philosopher Albert Camus famously used this myth in his 1942 essay to illustrate the philosophy of the Absurd, suggesting we must imagine Sisyphus happy in his struggle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Sisyphus and His Boulder?
The moral highlights the futility of trying to cheat death and the consequences of divine hubris. It suggests that deceit eventually leads to a burden that can never be set down.
Why was Sisyphus punished by Zeus?
He was punished for repeatedly tricking the gods, betraying Zeus's secrets, and twice cheating death through clever manipulation of Thanatos and Persephone.
What does a 'Sisyphean task' mean?
It refers to a task that is endless, laborious, and ultimately futile. It is a modern idiom for any work where effort is expended but no progress is ever made.
How did Sisyphus trick Death?
Sisyphus asked Thanatos to demonstrate how his chains worked, then quickly locked the god in them. This prevented anyone in the world from dying until Ares intervened.
What happens when the boulder reaches the top?
Due to a divine enchantment placed by Zeus, the boulder becomes impossibly heavy at the summit, slipping from Sisyphus's grasp and rolling all the way back to the bottom.
Who is Thanatos in the story of Sisyphus?
Thanatos is the personification of death in Greek mythology. He is the divine figure Sisyphus famously outwitted and imprisoned to avoid entering the Underworld.
