“I think of Sisyphus as a hero.” That statement, from a respected psychologist and leadership expert, caught me off guard. Sisyphus, the figure from Greek mythology condemned to endlessly roll a rock up a hill only to have it tumble back down, a hero? My initial reaction was skeptical, to say the least. “Really?” was my insightful reply. But the more I pondered this perspective, the more intrigued I became. It challenged the conventional view of Sisyphus as a symbol of futile labor and invited a deeper look into the myth, especially when considering the relentless nature of life itself – the constant Rock And Roll And Roll And Rock of our daily routines and grander endeavors.
To truly grasp this heroic reinterpretation, we need to revisit the original story. Sisyphus was no innocent victim. Born into privilege as the son of a king, he inherited both wealth and a penchant for power. He ascended to the throne himself, becoming known for his greed, deceit, and ruthless ambition. Ancient accounts paint him as a self-serving ruler, obsessed with maintaining his grip on power at any cost. He was even said to have murdered those who threatened his reign and engaged in treacherous plots against his own brother. This hardly sounds like the resume of a hero.
His ultimate downfall and eternal punishment stemmed from his disrespect for the gods, particularly Zeus. In a bid for personal gain, Sisyphus betrayed Zeus, an act of defiance that did not go unnoticed. Zeus, in his divine wrath, dispatched Death to chain Sisyphus and drag him to the underworld. However, Sisyphus, ever the trickster, outsmarted Death, trapping him in his own chains. This caused chaos in the mortal realm as no one could die. Eventually, Zeus intervened directly, ensuring Sisyphus received a punishment befitting his transgressions: the infamous task of eternally pushing a massive rock up a hill, only to watch it roll back down each time, forcing him to begin again – an unending cycle of rock and roll and roll and rock.
Alt text: Sisyphus, a muscular figure, strains to push a large boulder uphill in Bartolomeo Manfredi’s dramatic painting, embodying the endless cycle of effort and futility.
This imagery of endless, futile effort is what usually comes to mind when we think of Sisyphus. The rock, the roll back, the restart – a seemingly pointless exercise in repetition. Philosopher Albert Camus famously viewed Sisyphus as embodying the absurdity of human existence. We strive, we fail, we repeat, much like the endless rock and roll and roll and rock of Sisyphus’s burden. Life itself can feel like this – we learn, we work, we strive for achievement, only to face setbacks and ultimately, mortality.
But is that all there is to the myth? My friend’s assertion of Sisyphus as a hero prompted me to reconsider. He referenced Admiral William McCraven’s renowned graduation speech, later published as “Make Your Bed.” McCraven emphasizes the importance of small, disciplined actions, starting with making your bed perfectly each morning. This seemingly insignificant task sets a positive tone for the day and instills a sense of accomplishment, even in the face of larger, more daunting challenges. It’s about embracing the daily rock and roll and roll and rock of routine tasks and finding value in the process.
This resonated with a conversation I once had with a college roommate who refused to make his bed, arguing, “What’s the point? I’ll just have to do it again tomorrow.” This sentiment mirrors the perceived futility of Sisyphus’s labor. But as my wife pointed out, many essential daily tasks, like cleaning the sink or sweeping the floor, are similarly repetitive. We don’t question the value of eating each day, even though we know we will be hungry again. These are the necessary rock and roll and roll and rock rhythms of life that maintain order and well-being.
McRaven’s point about making the bed extends to the rigorous training of Navy Seals. He highlights that much of their practice focuses on basic, repetitive drills – blocking, tackling, running, and catching – the fundamental rock and roll and roll and rock of their profession. These repetitive actions build resilience, discipline, and stamina, preparing them for extraordinary challenges. Similarly, elite athletes in sports like tennis relentlessly practice basic movements and conditioning, building an unshakeable foundation for peak performance.
Thinking back to Sisyphus, and setting aside his past misdeeds, a new perspective emerges. Perhaps his endless task, his daily rock and roll and roll and rock, becomes a crucible for transformation. The hubris and ego that defined his kingship are stripped away by the monotony and apparent meaninglessness of his punishment. He is forced to confront the endless cycle, the mountain that never truly gets climbed, the rock that always returns.
Alt text: Titian’s painting captures Sisyphus in a moment of weary contemplation, his hand resting on the massive rock, suggesting a shift from futile struggle to a deeper understanding of his endless task.
But what if Sisyphus evolves within this endless cycle? Does he roll the rock in exactly the same way each time, day after day, eon after eon? Imagine the subtle variations he might introduce. He might experiment with different angles, different techniques, finding new ways to maneuver the stone. He could become the ultimate master of rock and roll and roll and rock, an expert in the nuances of his Sisyphean art. He might find moments of zen within the repetition, focusing on his breath, his movements, the feel of the rock against his hands. He could even find ways to make the task meaningful, dedicating each push to a different god, telling stories to himself, or singing songs to break the monotony.
Perhaps, over time, Sisyphus transcends the punishment. He begins to roll the rock not because he is forced to, but because he chooses to. He reclaims agency within his seemingly predetermined fate. His endless rock and roll and roll and rock becomes a testament to perseverance, a symbol of unwavering commitment in the face of adversity. He becomes a cautionary tale against ego and deceit, but also an inspirational figure who demonstrates the power of attitude and the choice to find meaning even in the most repetitive and challenging circumstances.
So, is Sisyphus a hero? Perhaps not in the traditional sense of selflessly serving others. But in his eternal struggle, in his unending engagement with the rock and roll and roll and rock of his fate, he embodies a different kind of heroism – the heroism of resilience, of finding purpose in repetition, of choosing to persevere even when faced with an apparently meaningless task. He shows us that even in the seemingly futile cycles of life, we have the power to choose our attitude, to find meaning, and to keep pushing our own rocks, day after day, roll after roll, rock after rock. And in that persistent effort, in that unwavering commitment to the endless climb, we might just find our own form of heroic strength.
For further inspiration on the power of discipline and perseverance, consider Admiral McCraven’s book “Make Your Bed”: https://amzn.to/36rpE88 and his impactful graduation speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBuIGBCF9jc.
