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“The Fate of Ophelia” - Hamlet, Heartbreak & Choosing Happiness | Taylor Swift Lyric Analysis (TLOAS e1)
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Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” reimagines one of literature’s most tragic heroines, and asks what it really means to be saved. In this lyric analysis, we’ll explore how Taylor draws from Hamlet’s Ophelia while unraveling the contradiction at the heart of the song: the fantasy of the white knight versus the truth of self-rescue.
Through themes of heartbreak, rebirth, and emotional transformation, Taylor turns despair into hope. But is our narrator really the damsel in distress, or has she always had the power to save herself? How is this song informed by others in Taylor’s discography, and how has her idea of happily ever after changed?
✨ Swiftly Sung Stories dives deep into Taylor Swift’s storytelling craft, exploring her lyrics through the lens of literature, emotion, and the art of songwriting.
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Check out the full TS 101 Lesson Series, along with lyrical analysis of 250+ songs, close readings of all of Taylor’s prologues, lyric quizzes, and more at SwiftlySungStories.com.
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