The myth of Sisyphus
Discussion Board Unit 7
These are 2 separate questions. 250 words each.
1. How does Camus’ “The Myth of Sisyphus” reflect atheistic existentialism? What is Sisyphus’ struggle? How does Sisyphus’ situation reflect the plight of man and how does he escape it?
2. According to Camus’ “The Myth of Sisyphus,” why is Sisyphus an “absurd hero”? What makes him heroic? How does his punishment from the gods reflect the existential view of the world and how does Sisyphus transcend the nature of the world through his thoughts and actions? Why is this story an accurate portrayal of the existential mindset?
Answer preview
- The myth of Sisyphus and atheistic existentialism
From the myth of Sisyphus, there are aspects of dualism, such as sadness and happiness, life, and death. In an atheistic worldview, a human does not believe in the existence or nonexistence of God, and so they define their purposes while being conscious of mortality. Sisyphus, while underworld, had seen a happy life on earth, which is contrary to one underworld, and his wish is not to return to the infernal darkness…
(550 words)