Articles


A. The Relationship between the Values of Discipline in Macbeth
Relevant scene:
Act 1, Scene 7 – Macbeth’s soliloquy before murdering King Duncan.
Macbeth is fully aware that killing Duncan is morally wrong and politically dangerous; however, he fails to restrain his ambition.
“I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition…” (Shakespeare, 1606/2015)
Interpretation:
This moment demonstrates that Macbeth possesses moral awareness but lacks self-control when ambition overwhelms rational judgment. His inner conflict reflects a failure of discipline, where desire overrides ethical reasoning. According to Bloom (2010), Shakespeare portrays ambition not as inherently evil, but as destructive when it is unchecked by moral self-regulation.
Relevant scene:
Banquo in Act 1, Scene 3 – Responding to the witches’ prophecies.
Unlike Macbeth, Banquo responds cautiously and critically to the supernatural predictions.
“The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s
In deepest consequence.” (Shakespeare, 1606/2015)
Interpretation:
Banquo exemplifies moral discipline through critical thinking and restraint. He recognizes the deceptive nature of temptation and refuses to act unethically to gain power. This aligns with ethical discipline as defined by Ryan and Deci (2000), where self-regulation is guided by internal moral values rather than external rewards.
Relevant scene:
Macduff in Act 4 and Act 5 – After learning that his family has been murdered.
“Sinful Macduff,
They were all struck for thee!” (Act 4, Scene 3)
Interpretation:
Macduff openly acknowledges his moral responsibility for his family’s death and does not shift blame onto others. His response reflects accountability and a commitment to corrective action. As Greenblatt (2005) notes, Macduff functions as a moral counterweight to Macbeth, demonstrating that ethical responsibility is central to just leadership.
The Correlative Study of Teachers’ Teaching Methods on Students’ Emotional Engagement in Learning English
Teaching methods play a crucial role in shaping students’ learning experiences, particularly in the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Beyond cognitive achievement, contemporary language education emphasizes the importance of students’ emotional engagement, which includes interest, enjoyment, enthusiasm, and a sense of belonging during the learning process. Emotional engagement is widely recognized as a key predictor of sustained motivation and active participation in language learning (Fredricks, Blumenfeld, & Paris, 2004). Therefore, examining the correlation between teachers’ teaching methods and students’ emotional engagement provides valuable insights into how pedagogical practices influence learners’ affective responses in English classrooms.
Teachers’ teaching methods encompass a wide range of instructional strategies, such as communicative language teaching, task-based learning, cooperative learning, and technology-enhanced instruction. These methods differ in the degree to which they promote interaction, autonomy, and meaningful language use. Research suggests that learner-centered and interactive teaching methods tend to foster positive emotional states by creating supportive and engaging learning environments (Dörnyei & Ryan, 2015). When students perceive teaching methods as relevant, enjoyable, and responsive to their needs, they are more likely to develop positive emotions toward learning English.
Emotional engagement, as a dimension of student engagement, refers to learners’ affective reactions to teachers, peers, learning activities, and the subject matter itself. In EFL contexts, emotional engagement is particularly important because language learning often involves anxiety, fear of making mistakes, and low self-confidence (Pekrun, 2006). Teaching methods that encourage collaboration, provide constructive feedback, and reduce excessive teacher dominance can help alleviate negative emotions and promote enjoyment and interest. Consequently, students who experience positive emotional engagement are more inclined to participate actively and persist in learning English.