AULAFYCurso abierto de inglés C1
HomeCoursePoetry, Metaphor & Literary LanguageMedia Guide
Poetry, Metaphor & Literary LanguageL12
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Media Guide

Film and series guidance to extend the unit through authentic language exposure.

20 minC1c1media_guidepoetry-metaphor-literary-languagemetaphorliterary languagec1 vocabularyregister shift

Lesson objectives

  • Use authentic audiovisual material to deepen the unit theme.
  • Notice how advanced language works in real public media.
  • Extend vocabulary and discussion around poetry, metaphor & literary language through film and series.

Cine & Series — Poetry, Metaphor & Metaphor & Literary Language

Utilizar producciones cinematográficas de alta calidad te permite exponerte a matices lingüísticos y figuras retóricas que no se encuentran en los libros de texto. Al observar cómo los personajes usan metáforas para expresar ideas complejas, desarrollarás la capacidad de comprender el lenguaje figurado esencial para el nivel C1.

Recommended title

  • Title: The Crown, 2016–2023, Netflix
  • Accent/dialect: Received Pronunciation (RP), various regional British accents.
  • Why it's perfect for C1: The series is a masterclass in sophisticated register and nuanced dialogue. It uses high-level vocabulary and subtle metaphors to convey power dynamics, duty, and emotional repression, making it ideal for studying literary devices in a contemporary context.
  • Episodes to start with: Season 1, Episodes 1–4.

Language focus

  1. "The crown is not so much a symbol of power as it is a heavy burden of duty."

    • Vocabulary note: Burden /ˈbɜːdn/ (Carga/peso moral).
    • Grammar spotlight: Uses the structure not so much X as Y to clarify that the second definition is more accurate than the first.

  2. "The more she strives for personal freedom, the more she finds herself shackled by tradition."

    • Vocabulary note: To shackle /ˈʃækl/ (Encadenar/atar).
    • Grammar spotlight: Uses the double comparative the more... the more... to show a proportional relationship between two increasing tensions.

  3. "He spoke with a poetic melancholy that seemed to haunt the very halls of the palace."

    • Vocabulary note: Melancholy /ˈmelənkəli/ (Melancolía/tristeza profunda).
    • Grammar spotlight: This is an example of using descriptive adjectives to create a metaphorical atmosphere, a key skill for C1 writing and speaking.

Viewing task (active watching)

  1. Note down vocabulary: Keep a dedicated notebook and aim to write down at least 10 new words or sophisticated expressions per hour of viewing.
  2. Identify register shifts: Pay attention to how characters switch between formal "court" language and intimate, informal dialogue when they are alone.
  3. Spot Comparative structures: Listen specifically for "the more... the more..." or "not so much... as..." to see how characters weigh complex decisions.
  4. Summarise one scene: After an episode, choose one pivotal scene and write a 2-3 sentence summary in English, attempting to use at least one metaphor or one comparative structure used in the show.

Similar titles (2 alternatives)

  • Downton Abbey (Netflix/Amazon): Excellent for studying historical British etiquette and highly formal, sophisticated social interactions.
  • Sherlock (BBC/Netflix): Perfect for practicing rapid-fire, high-density vocabulary and complex deductive reasoning expressed through metaphor.