outlook for what one could only imagine to be a very trying time for people. Camus believed that the essence of man was irrational and life is nonessential, but one should face life with a sort of courageous humanism. Camus rather enjoyed the more rebellious side of human nature. Camus is most interested in Sysiphus because when faced with this futile punishment he chooses a rather unusual manner to deal with it. In his writing Camus focuses most on the moment of time when Sysiphus is coming down the mountain. He describes Sysiphus as being in a conscious and lucid state. He feels tragedy, victory, and a bit of sadness for his situation. It is during this time of consciousness that Sysiphus begins to formulate drastic conclusions about his fate. During his descent, he decides that he and only he can control his own destiny. He faces the reality of his situation and makes a conscious decision to reject any god that would have him endure futile suffering. He decides that his fate will lie within his own hands and therefore he and only he will decide whether or not he will allow this condemnation to render him powerless or powerful. In this moment of adversity he finds the courage within himself to continue on and decide for himself that god will not make him suffer.Sysiphus decides that he will be happy. He will be "superior to his fate". Once he rejects god he sees that because of his own nature he can create his happiness. Camus is most interested in this side of Sysiphus. He wonders how one can grasp the consciousness to be happy in the face of such adversity given this terrible punishment. Camus realizes that Sysiphus' joy is contained within. His fate belongs to him. Camus states that one cannot know what it means to be happy unless one has known what it means to experience sorrow. Sysiphus has, even to the end, managed to outsmart the gods. The gods gave him what they considered a punishment that would sure...
