the psychological effects it has on Sisyphus, and the mental state he must be in to endure such an ordeal. In describing this, Camus focuses on the point at which Sisyphus makes his decent back to gather his great rock. It is at this point that Camus makes clear as to why he considers Sisyphus an absurd hero. Assuming that this punishment can only be considered tragic if Sisyphus becomes conscious of it, Camus points out that it is during this descent that our main character becomes aware of his awful state, and in doing so becomes, superior to his fate. He is stronger than his rock. Camus suggests that Sisyphus is at ease with this punishment because in this absurd universe, mans fate is the only thing that can be shaped by man, and in doing so, that fate belongs to man. Sisyphus rock belongs to him.If it is possible to see Sisyphus as conscious during his descent, then it is surely possible that he is aware of his predicament during his grueling ascent as well. Is Sisyphus not conscious of the horrible punishment that he has been handed by the Gods as he makes his way up the hill with his rock? It is his ascent that allows the reader of the original story to remember what this act is supposed to represent, and it is the ascent that Camus, although he describes it physically, fails to mention. Sisyphus punishment is supposed to be viewed as futile and apt. In this way the storys message is held intact. It is probably for this reason that the original myth makes little mention of the punishment itself.Its easy to see based on his essay; Albert Camus would have liked Sisyphus to have one more trick up his sleeve. Instead of a just punishment, Camus sees it as Sisyphus greatest victory over the Gods, but it is not clear whether this is what the original text was meant to represent. Camus states that, myths are made for the imagination to breathe life into them, and he surely takes advantage of this. If it is true that Sisyphu...
