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The Rock of Sisyphus 薛西佛斯：我滚故我在

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According to ancient Greek myth, Sisyphus was the founder and king of the city of Corinth. ___1___ When he proved too arrogant for his own good, and offended Zeus, the king of the gods, he was sentenced to an eternity of punishment. ___2___

根据古老的希腊神话，薛西佛斯是柯林斯城的建城者兼国王。然而，他根本不是一位高尚的君主，而是以老奸巨滑而恶名远播。他因过度自大而惹祸，触怒了众神之神宙斯，被判以永恒的责罚。这个可悲的命运正是他今天为世人所知的原因。

All his life, Sisyphus had made a habit of getting what he wanted through tricking others. Eventually, he became so cocky that he thought he could insult Zeus without consequence. ___3___ Sisyphus was condemned to an endless task, in which he had to push a huge rock up a steep hill, only to have it roll down again.

终其一生，薛西佛斯习于靠设计欺骗他人，来得到想要的东西。最后，他变得十分狂傲，甚至认为他可以侮辱宙斯而不受惩罚。可是，当宙斯对他施以可怕的惩罚时，就足以证明他大错特错。薛西佛斯被判必须从事一项永无止境的工作，他必须把一块巨石堆上陡峭的山坡，再眼睁睁看着石头滚下去。

The existentialist Albert Camus claimed Sisyphus’ tale shows the absurdity of human life. ___4___

存在主义者卡谬宣称薛西佛斯的故事显示出人类生命的荒谬。尽管如此，卡谬认为薛西佛斯是一个快乐的人，他说「朝高处挣扎奋斗本身就足以让人心满意足」。

___5___ If he were real and around today, it may boost Sisyphus’ ego to know that he still lives on in popular culture.

现在，薛西佛斯的名字甚至以Sisyphean这个形容词成为英文的一部份，用来指一项永无止境或无意义的工作。如果薛西佛斯真有其人且存在于今天，得知他仍然存活在大众文化之中，可能会让他洋洋得意一番吧！

－by David Vickers

(A)   However, he was proved sorely wrong, as Zeus dealt out a terrible punishment.

(B)   At other times, Sisyphus appeared determined and showed sympathy for his rivals.

(C)   He was no noble leader, however, being infamous for his sly and cunning nature.

(D)  Despite this, however, Camus saw Sisyphus as a happy figure, saying “The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart.”

(E)   Now, Sisyphus’ name has even entered the English language as an adjective, Sisyphean, to refer to a never-ending or pointless task.

(F)    This sorry fate is what he is best known for today.

Vocabulary

单词发音

arrogant [ˋærəgənt] adj. 傲慢的；自大的

eternity [ɪˋtɝnətɪ] n. 永远，永恒

eventually [ɪˋvɛntʃʊəlɪ] adv. 最后，终于

ego [ˋigo] n. 自负

deal out 决定给予〔某人某种处罚〕impose something; command

More Information

单词发音

Sisyphus [ˋsɪsəfəs] n.【希神】希腊暴君

offend [əˋfɛnd] v. 冒犯；触怒

sentence [ˋsɛntəns] v. 判决[H][（+to）]

punishment [ˋpʌnɪʃmənt] n. 处罚，惩罚

make a habit of 形成做某事的习惯

trick [trɪk] v. 哄骗

cocky [ˋkɑkɪ] adj. 骄傲的；太过自信的

insult [ɪnˋsʌlt] v. 侮辱，羞辱

without consequence 不承担后果 without taking any unpleasant result

condemn [kənˋdɛm] v. 判……刑[（+to）]

only to 却；结果却

existentialist [ɛgzɪsˋtɛnʃəlɪst] n. 存在主义者

absurdity [əbˋsɝdətɪ] n. 荒谬；荒诞

sorely [sorlɪ] adv. 非常地; 极严重地

infamous [ˋɪnfəməs] adj. 声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的

sly [slaɪ] adj. 狡猾的，狡诈的

cunning [ˋkʌnɪŋ] adj. 狡猾的，奸诈的

Sisyphean [͵sɪsəˋfiən] adj. 永远做不完的；徒劳的；无止境而困难的

Answer