SISYPHUS Meaning and
Definition
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Sisyphus, derived from Greek mythology, refers to a character known for his eternal punishment in the underworld. According to the legend, Sisyphus was a cunning and deceitful king of Corinth who was condemned by the gods for his hubris and betrayal. The term "Sisyphus" typically signifies an endless and futile task, reflecting the nature of his punishment.
In its figurative sense, a "Sisyphus" refers to an individual who is endlessly engaged in a repetitive and laborious activity that yields no permanent outcome or satisfaction. It represents the notion of perpetually striving for a desired goal or purpose, only to have it repeatedly and inevitably slip out of reach, leading to frustration and a sense of meaninglessness.
The concept of Sisyphus also alludes to the philosophical ideas of existentialism, specifically as explored by Albert Camus in his essay "The Myth of Sisyphus." Camus likens the repetitive and futile task of Sisyphus rolling a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down each time, to the human condition. He argues that life itself is absurd and devoid of inherent meaning, yet individuals must find purpose and create their own sense of significance in the face of this existential absurdity.
In summary, "Sisyphus" stands as a symbol for eternal toil and fruitless labor, representing both the punishment endured by the mythological character and the broader existential meaninglessness that can be attributed to certain aspects of human existence.
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In anc. myth., the son of Aeolus, king of Corinth, famous for his cunning and robberies, and who was killed by Theseus-condemned by Pluto in the infernal regions to roll a stone up-hill, which constantly rolled back again, thus making his task incessant.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for SISYPHUS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SISYPHUS
- aisyphus
- zisyphus
- xisyphus
- disyphus
- eisyphus
- wisyphus
- susyphus
- sjsyphus
- sksyphus
- sosyphus
- s9syphus
- s8syphus
- siayphus
- sisyxhus
- Siciphus
Etymology of SISYPHUS
The word "Sisyphus" is derived from Greek mythology. It stems from the name "Σίσυφος" (Sísyphos) in Greek.
In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a cunning and deceitful king of Corinth. He was known for his arrogance and trickery, which ultimately angered the gods. As punishment for his crimes, Sisyphus was condemned by Zeus to eternally roll a large boulder up a hill in the underworld, only to watch it roll back down every time he reached the top, forcing him to repeat the task endlessly.
Therefore, the word "Sisyphus" has become synonymous with the concept of an arduous and futile task or a never-ending, repetitive struggle.
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