What Is 'The Fate of Ophelia' Referencing on Taylor Swift's New Album?

In William Shakespeare’s tragedy "Hamlet," Ophelia is the nobleman Polonius's daughter.

The young noblewoman Ophelia lived under the heavy gaze of court politics. She is romantically involved with Prince Hamlet, but their relationship crumbles amid betrayal, grief, and revenge.

Her fate? According to Queen Gertrude, Ophelia fell into a brook and drowned while picking flowers. Whether her death was accidental or intentional remains debated.

Some suggest she might've lingered longer, implying a longer drowning, while others believe she might've drowned from madness and despair. Either way, the tragic end of Ophelia remains iconic.

In Swift’s latest music video, which accompanies the "The Life of a Showgirl" lead single "The Fate of Ophelia," Ophelia appears reborn. The song’s full lyrics include references like "locked inside," "sky pledge allegiance," and "cold bed," painting a portrait of a woman pushed to the brink.

Swift sings, "Ophelia, 'tis locked inside," tying directly to the image of the original Ophelia locked in her mind’s madness.

This version of Ophelia experiences a sleepless night, dreams of fire, and endures venom that stole her voice. She calls out, not to Hamlet, but perhaps to herself, reflecting on the powers that control her life.

The lyrics explore themes of heartbreak, sanity, and a life of a woman always performing, always dreaming.

With Swift’s public relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce making headlines, fans speculate about inspiration. Is Swift’s fiancé the "only you" in the chorus? Has she woven past relationships into this Ophelia metaphor? Possibly.

In the chorus, Swift proclaims, “Late one night, you dug me out of my grave and saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia,” making a direct reference to "Hamlet."

Swift layers this with visuals of a tower, vines pulling, and light blowing out. She might be referencing her own past, or reimagining the heartbreak of Shakespeare's play as a new kind of agency.

The music video—which premiered on YouTube to millions of views—includes references to towers, flames, and the sea. Swift appears alone in the tower, her voice echoing against dark melodies.

Unlike the original, this modern Ophelia doesn’t fade quietly. She sings with fire. She is quite the pyro, lighting up the cold narrative that Shakespeare cast.

Her story is not just about madness; it’s about reclaiming identity from the chorus of heartbreak.

What is the fate of Ophelia? In literature, it’s madness and death. In Swift’s hands, it’s a dream of escape, a calling from grief, a rebirth. Her version fights back against the silence.

In both versions, the character is driven mad—but only one survives. Swift’s lyrics suggest a heroine who might've drowned but also might've been saved. She may be singing about herself, or about every woman who has ever stood at the edge of love and madness.

With Taylor Swift, Ophelia gets to live again—through melody, metaphor, and flames.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.