LOS ANGELES, Oct 6 — Taylor Swift’s new music video for the song The Fate of Ophelia premiered yesterday, after first releasing in US theatres alongside her album The Life of a Showgirl’s release.
Directed by Swift herself, the video features the artist in a dramatic interpretation of the character from Hamlet, Ophelia’s narrative, set against a modern backdrop.
The Fate of Ophelia video has already sparked discussions among fans and critics alike, with many praising Swift’s directorial debut and her innovative approach to storytelling through music.
However there have been criticisms online about Swift’s narrative of having been “saved” from Ophelia’s fate by her lover.
Some have even cast doubt on whether Swift has actually read Hamlet as the Ophelia she sings about seems removed from William Shakespeare’s play.
“You saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia,” she sings while also speaking of “being sat alone in my tower.”
In Hamlet, Ophelia was never in a tower so perhaps in this case it’s mixed metaphors — bringing in shades of Rapunzel.
Fans however argued that critics are taking the lyrics too literally and that the song is inspired by themes from Hamlet, while not necessarily being overtly faithful to the original.
