Making Connections With Current Events

 Currrent Event Link 

Lance Armstrong Breaks Down Crying Over Telling His Kids Truth About Doping

http://abcnews.go.com/US/lance-armstrong-tears-children-defending/story?id=18252663

 Analysis:
In the play, Macbeth, the theme of guilt is present throughout. Macbeth cannot rid himself of the guilt he feels after murdering King Duncan and his guilt causes him to behave erratically. Lady Macbeth is also haunted by guilt as seen when she mumbles in her sleep while sleepwalking and tries to get rid of the blood from the dagger that killed King Duncan.

The theme of guilt is one that can be witnessed on a regular basis in our own society as well. For example, Lance Armstrong recently exhibited signs of guilt when he confessed to having used drugs to enhance his athleticism during the Tour de France. He teared up when he recounted how he had to tell his oldest son of his deception. Lance Armstrong demonstrated that he did not feel proud of his actions and that he had acted in a way that he did not want his children to know about. This shows that he had truly done something reprehensible. Although Macbeth committed the more serious crime of murder, he similarly had a hard time speaking of his actions with someone close to him. For example, Macbeth did not tell Lady Macbeth of his plans to kill Banquo because he was obviously not proud of what he endeavored to do. Lance Armstrong may feel some relief from having come clean with his illegal actions; however, he most likely will never recover from the aftereffects of having lied not only to the world, but to his own family and children as well. Although both Macbeth and Lance Armstrong achieved the desire of their ambition, to become king and to win the Tour de France, the consequences of achieving those goals at all costs (guilt) proved in both cases to nullify the result. In the end, Macbeth lost his crown when he was killed and Lance Armstrong was stripped of his titles when he confessed to taking performance enhancing drugs.