Camus’s Sisyphus: Myth as a Tool for Expressing the Ineffable Value of Life

Albert Camus concludes his 1942 essay *The Myth of Sisyphus* with the line: “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” This statement often confuses readers who treat the final section as an allegory rather than a myth. Camus offers his own version of the Sisyphus myth, distinct from those in Homer or Ovid, by omitting and adding details. He uses myth in the older sense of the word, as a dramatic story intended to express something true, not as a falsehood. In ancient Greek thought, *mythos* and *logos* were not sharply distinguished; Plato and Aristotle used *mythos* to mean stories or narration. Camus follows Nietzsche’s lead, using myth to complement reasoned arguments when discussing subjects beyond the limits of intellectual powers, such as human dignity or the value of life. The essay is a philosophical exploration from the perspective of an absurd man searching for a myth that makes life meaningful. Camus shifts focus from Sisyphus’s struggle up the mountain to his walk back down, where he has time for reflection and the opportunity to create meaning. Because life does not come with inherent meaning, humans can create their own, making existence worthwhile. Camus argues that Sisyphus is happy because he values his life and can give it meaning. The myth is not an allegory for the working class but a direct attempt to induce in readers the feeling that life is good and meaningful.