"Pretend he doesn’t know that he’s the reason why you’re drowning." This week we're exploring Shakespeare's "Hamlet" through Taylor Swift's lens, diving into the psychological depths of revenge, agency, and the fate of being a silenced woman. From the “Real Housewives of Shakespeare” (yes, really) to the drowning weight of societal expectations, we unpack how Taylor uses one of literature's most tragic figures to explore modern questions about independence, relationships, and female agency.

Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Hamlet, William Shakespeare

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Tom Stoppard

The Lion King

The Traitors

Real Housewives

E92: Revenge Narratives

The Sound of Music

Sister Act

The Female Malady, Elaine Showalter

E31: Show and Tell - Shakespeare

E23: Mad Woman

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Episode Highlights

• [01:03] Hamlet 101
• [11:02] “I Knew You Were Trouble,” RED
• [23:50] “Anti-Hero,” Midnights
• [34:56] “The Fate of Ophelia,” The Life of a Showgirl

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• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
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Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

"Ophelia lived in tragedy." In this preview of our paid subscriber bonus episode, we’re diving deeper into Hamlet. We all study it, and love it or hate it, there’s something about this particular play that keeps people talking about it. What about Shakespeare’s Hamlet, remains so relevant almost 500 years later? We talk briefly about its history, how it’s taught, why it’s culturally so important, the role of tragedy in theater and in Taylor Swfit's music, amongst other topics related to this incredible play.

If you enjoyed this sneak peek and want to hear the full episode plus additional monthly episodes of AP Taylor Swift After School, subscribe at aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe.

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Mentioned in this episode:

• The Lion King
• Thor

• Thomas Kidd's The Spanish Tragedy

• Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta De Norum

• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Tom Stoppard

• Something Rotten

• Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell

Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe

Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com

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Episode Highlights:

[02:00] Introduction to Hamlet and Its Influence

[3:10] Hamlet's Influence on Modern Films

[4:06] Revenge and Psychological Themes

[5:50] Adaptations and Comedic Perspectives

[9:04] Literary Connections and References

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
• Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com

Affiliate Codes:

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

"What if I told you none of it was accidental?" On this special NYE edition, we're revisiting our Parallel Songs episode, which means you’re getting six show-and-tell songs instead of three! In this episode, we explore the concept of parallel songs in Taylor Swift's discography, focusing on thematic and lyrical connections between pairs of songs. We discuss the similarities between the carefree hangout vibes of “22” and the more mature perspective of letting loose in “Bejeweled”; the contrasting views of fate in “Invisible String” and agency in “Mastermind”. And, we take a technical lens to the songs “Labyrinth” and “You're Losing Me”, highlighting how they embody experiences of love and loss.

Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics. Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com and thank you for listening. Can't wait to continue to overanalyze and deep dive more Taylor Swift music in 2026!

Mentioned in this episode:

Eras Tour Surprise Song Mashup TikToks

Love Story Deep Dive

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Episode Highlights:

[02:00] Introduction to Parallel Songs

[05:07] Exploring “22” (Red) and “Bejeweled” (Midnights)

[13:20] Contrasting “Invisible String”(folklore) and “Mastermind” (Midnights)

[21:23] Analyzing “Labyrinth” (Midnights) and “You're Losing Me” (Midnights (from the vault))

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

• TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift
• YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift
• Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift
• Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts
• Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro

Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com

Affiliate Codes:

Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!

Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro

This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.