Comparative Reading Sisyphus

Read the excerpt from Passage 2.

“I’ve watched thee, Scarab! Yea, an hour in vain

I’ve watched thee, slowly toiling up the hill,” (lines 1–2)

What does the repetition in these lines reveal?

• the importance of the beetle’s work

• the speaker’s fascination with the beetle

• the attention that the beetle pays to its task

• the relationship of the speaker to the beetle

Read these lines from Passage 2.

“This self-same height? Accurséd progeny / Of Sisyphus, what

antenatal crime” (lines 11–12)

The root word “ante” means “previous.” What does antenatal crime

reference in these lines?

• the fault of those born over time

• the error of those born before us

• the offense of being born on time

• the injustice of being born too soon

Passage 2 offers an alternative interpretation of Sisyphus’s struggle from

Passage 1. How does this reinterpretation affect the meaning of Passage 2?

• It affirms how important the struggle is.

• It reveals the difficulty of the experience.

• It exposes the insignificance of the struggle.

• It highlights that the experience is universal.

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How does stanza 2 of Passage 3 develop a different aspect of Sisyphus’s

experience than the version in Passage 1?

• In Passage 3 he is continuing to fool the gods.

• In Passage 3 he is steadily improving at his task.

• In Passage 3 he is putting in more physical effort.

• In Passage 3 he is enjoying the happiness of the gods.

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What does the word oblivion mean as it is used in line 34 of Passage 3?

• the state of being confused

• the state of being forgotten

• the shape and length of time

• the position and order of loss

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What idea is left unclear in the final stanza of Passage 3?

• what consequence would truly punish Sisyphus

• what motivates Sisyphus to continue his deception

• whether Sisyphus truly suffered while doing his task

• whether Sisyphus brought about his own punishment for glory

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Question 10 Part A: What is the mood in Passage 3?

• peaceful

• smug

• vengeful

• weary

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Question 10 Part B: Which line from Passage 3 shows how the mood in Part A is developed

through figurative language?

• “Drip, drap, drop, the gods cackled as I sweated on that hill.”

  (line 18)

• “Here, my lungs toil tirelessly, my limbs are lead” (line 25)

• “into the familiar dips and valleys of my boulder.” (line 36)

• “Finally, the kind of storied destiny I can truly embrace.” (line 38)

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Question 11 Part A: How has the character of Sisyphus in Passage 3 changed from the

original work in Passage 1?

• Sisyphus rests in peace.

• Sisyphus ends his suffering.

• Sisyphus retains his free will.

• Sisyphus disrespects the gods.

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Question 11 Part B: Select two lines from Passage 3 that support the answer in Part A.

• “I’ll admit, the first few times were agony (pure anguish).” (line 15)

• “I could barely move that rock and felt my hope near-extinguish.”

  (line 16)

• “Drip, drap, drop, the gods cackled as I sweated on that hill.”

  (line 18)

• “Who—no, what would I be had I accepted my lot?” (line 31)

• “But this quiet kind of contentment, I dare not let show.” (line 39)

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