MULTIMEDIA-ENGLISH
Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics - Russia (BBC)
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Video page URL
https://multimedia-english.com/videos/esl/sochi-2014-winter-olympics-russia-bbc-4948
Description

The Winter Olympics are coming. As the highly-anticipated event draws near, BBCSport released an official trailer promoting its coverage for the games, featuring a voiceover by British actor Charles Dance, famous for his role as Tywin Lannister on HBO's Game of Thrones.


But this is, most of all, a wonderful piece of poetry. Enjoy it.


Добро пожаловать в XXII зимние Олимпийские игры

Transcript

I am the dreadful menace.
The one whose will is done.
The haunting chill upon your neck.
I am the conundrum.

Not you, or any other.
Can fathom what is nigh.
I will tell you when to jump.
And I’ll dictate how high.

But now you stand before me.
Devoid of all dismay.
Could it be? Just maybe.
I’ll let you have your day.

Explanations

Here are the explanations for the complete poem version that you will find under the ETC tab. Some of the words here are not in the short version of the script, but are there, in the complete version.


DREADFUL= Terrible


MENACE= /menɪs/ A possible danger, a threat.


WHOSE WILL IS DONE= Who always does what he wants (will= desire)


HAUNTING= A haunting thing is something that becomes an obsession.


CHILL= A cold feeling that goes up and/or down your body, like when you are terrified.


UPON= (old-fashioned or poetical) On.


CONUNDRUM= A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma.


SUMMON= Call together, gather.


OVERHEAD= Located, functioning or coming from above.


BELOW= In to or from a lower place, beneath.


FATHOM= To completely understand the real meaning of something.


NIGH= (old-fashioned or poetical) Near.


DICTATE= Order, command.


DEVOID= If you are devoid of something, you don't have it.


DISMAY= A total loss of courage.


I'LL LET YOU HAVE YOUR DAY= I will let you try to get the glory.