Wasn't it a punishment for trying to cheat death an ultimately pointless and futile endeavour so his punishment is to spend his afterlife how he spent his life
Yes and no. iirc Sisyphus escaped the underworld twice before. The third time he ended up there it was specified that the only way he would be able to leave again was if he was able to balance the boulder on top of the mountain. Sure it's ultimately futile, but the idea is that Sisyphus isn't required to push the boulder. He could stop an any point and accept his fate, but out of spite and willfulness Sisyphus continues to push the boulder with the hope that he may one day be able to escape for a third time.
or he's trapped in a negative and proud habit and can't just abandon his fruitless pursuit and enjoy what he can about his situation. All his spite and pride only hurt him
Wasn't it a punishment for trying to cheat death an ultimately pointless and futile endeavour so his punishment is to spend his afterlife how he spent his life
Yes and no. iirc Sisyphus escaped the underworld twice before. The third time he ended up there it was specified that the only way he would be able to leave again was if he was able to balance the boulder on top of the mountain. Sure it's ultimately futile, but the idea is that Sisyphus isn't required to push the boulder. He could stop an any point and accept his fate, but out of spite and willfulness Sisyphus continues to push the boulder with the hope that he may one day be able to escape for a third time.
or he's trapped in a negative and proud habit and can't just abandon his fruitless pursuit and enjoy what he can about his situation. All his spite and pride only hurt him