Sisyphus defied the gods and put Death in chains so that no human needed to die. When Death was eventually liberated and it came time for Sisyphus himself to die, he concocted a deceit which let him escape from the underworld. Finally captured, the gods decided on his punishment: for all eternity, he would have to push a rock up a mountain; on the top, the rock rolls down again and Sisyphus has to start over.

When Sisyphus is marching down the mountain to start anew is the moment when the hero becomes conscious of his wretched condition. He does not have hope, but still clamors there is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn. Acknowledging the truth of his condition conquers it. Sisyphus keeps pushing and concludes that all is well. He wanted to cheat death. As long as he is pushing his rock, no matter how absurd his life, he is alive.
(Adapted from Wikipedia)
 

«Virtue cannot separate itself from reality
without becoming a principle of evil.»
   - Albert Camus