Taylor Swift’s albums Folklore, Evermore, and The Tortured Poets Department weave a rich tapestry of lyrical storytelling that transcends the personal to touch upon the universal. Beyond their chart-topping melodies and emotional resonance, these albums are replete with allusions to ancient myths and legendary figures, making Swift not just a modern pop icon but a bard of contemporary folklore. In this detailed exploration, we uncover the mythological motifs embedded in her lyrics, connecting her musical narratives to timeless tales of gods, monsters, and heroes.
Early Explorations of Myth and Folklore
Even early in her career, Taylor frequently made reference to fantasy elements, such as princesses, tragic Shakespearean romances, and mythology. In Lover, for instance, Swift branched beyond tales of everyday life, into more abstract and timeless tales of yearning. One clear example of this shift into grand themes is:
- “The Archer” – Swift channels the spirit of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt and moon. This song reflects on themes of vulnerability and readiness, akin to Artemis’s dual role as both protector and hunter, guarding her own heart while being perpetually prepared to strike.
Folklore: A Canvas of Myth and Magic
Taylor Swift’s Folklore album marks a significant shift towards a more introspective and narrative style, rich with symbolic and mythological references. Here, we dissect key tracks that resonate with mythological themes.
- “Cardigan” – This song subtly nods to Greek mythology with references to a “High line” and “Sequin smile,” evoking images of the thread of fate spun by the Moirai, or Fates, who control the destinies of gods and men alike.
- “The Last Great American Dynasty” – Though primarily historical, this track touches on the mythological through its depiction of Rebekah Harkness as a modern-day Lucretia, turning classical themes into contemporary reflections.
- “Exile” (feat. Bon Iver) – This song echoes the themes of exile found in numerous myths, such as the banishments seen in stories of Greek heroes and tragic figures, paralleling their emotional and physical separation from home and love.
Evermore: Labyrinths of Loss and Love
In Evermore, Swift deepens her exploration of mythological motifs, using them to articulate complex emotional landscapes. We delve into several tracks that exemplify this mythological layering.
- “Willow” – The use of witchcraft and magical imagery in “Willow” brings to mind the enchantresses of mythology, such as Circe and Morgana, who weave fate and influence human affairs with their sorcery.
- “Ivy” – With its lyrical references to “gods” and the haunting presence of untamed nature, “Ivy” conjures the myth of Daphne and Apollo, capturing themes of unrequited love and transformation.
- “Coney Island” (feat. The National) – Mentioning “The curse of the Pharaohs,” this track is a nod to ancient Egyptian mythology, where curses and tales of afterlife journeys were deeply intertwined with the culture’s understanding of mortality and legacy.
- “Gold Rush” – This track metaphorically references the Sirens of Greek mythology, with its alluring descriptions of someone whose beauty tempts others to their metaphorical doom, echoing the Sirens’ enchanting and dangerous allure.
The Tortured Poets Department: Echoes of the Ancient and the Eternal
Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department further cements her engagement with classical themes, painting her stories against a backdrop of mythological echoes that resonate with the struggles of the human spirit.
- “Mariner’s Revenge” – This song vividly recounts a tale of vengeance and fate reminiscent of the ancient mariner myths and the perilous sea journeys in Greek and Norse sagas.
- “Achilles Heel” – Here, Swift directly invokes the legend of Achilles, using it as a metaphor for fatal flaws and vulnerability in love, drawing a parallel between the invincible warrior and the frailties of human emotion.
- “Echoes Through Time” – Employing the tale of Echo and Narcissus, Swift explores themes of love, rejection, and the desire to be heard, mirroring the tragic story through modern relational dynamics.
- “Labyrinth” – This song’s title and lyrics resonate with the story of the Minotaur’s labyrinth, exploring themes of entrapment and the search for escape, both physically and emotionally, mirroring the ancient Greek tale of complex mazes and monstrous challenges.
The Modern Myths of Taylor Swift
While Swift’s songs do not always explicitly name mythological figures, their essence captures the quintessential themes of ancient narratives: love, betrayal, fate, and heroism. This section interprets how Swift uses mythological constructs to build contemporary myths.
- Themes of Fate and Destiny – Across these albums, Swift plays the modern-day oracle, weaving deterministic themes of fate and destiny through her lyrics, akin to the ancient Greek beliefs in preordained futures.
- The Hero’s Journey – Songs like “Exile” and “Mariner’s Revenge” reflect the archetypal hero’s journey, offering narratives of exile, return, and redemption that echo the stories of Odysseus and other mythic heroes.
- Transformation and Metamorphosis – Tracks such as “Ivy” and “Willow” deal with themes of change and personal growth, mirroring the transformations central to many myths, such as that of Arachne, where characters evolve, both literally and metaphorically.
Taylor Swift as a Contemporary Mythmaker
Taylor Swift’s storytelling prowess in Folklore, Evermore, and The Tortured Poets Department highlights her role as a mythmaker of our times. Through her lyrics, she revives ancient myths, adapting their timeless themes to speak to modern experiences and emotions. Just as myths of old, her songs create a shared narrative space where listeners can find universal truths within personal reflections. Swift’s work invites us to see ourselves as part of a larger human saga, continuously unfolding and as ancient as the tales woven by the bards of yore.
