Swift’s relationship was a physical experience. Since breaking up, the full-bodied physical experience of another person has been replaced by a flattened, empty version. For example, Swift sings: “I’ll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep.” When they were together, Swift saw a three-dimensional, moving, human being. After the break-up, she will now see him only through static, pixelated representations on an instagram feed.

Better Than Revenge is Swift’s Iliad – a feminine recasting of the timeless tale of besmirched honor.

Swift read a lot into eye contact and a quick conversation – in her mind, she decoded the message embedded in a light-hearted conversation.

Our chronophobic prophetess Taylor Swift informs a baby that her life is only going to get worse from here.

Like quintessential revenge heroes Hamlet or Cady Heron, Swift leaves a wake of destruction behind her when she attempts to become mean.

In Back To December, Taylor Swift explores decay over time.

In this literary analysis of Sparks Fly, Taylor Swift Scholar explores how Swift's thoughts about desire have evolved since her first album.