In accordance with the complex integration of tragic and comedic elements in this Shakespearean romance, the mood of the play varies dramatically from beginning to end. The mood is relatively lighthearted at the beginning of Act 1 with the promise of the reunion of childhood friends Leontes and Polixenes, but it quickly becomes apprehensive and ominous as Leontes's false accusations against Hermione grow increasingly entrenched. Act 3 ultimately ends with a mood of horror and tragedy upon the deaths of Hermione and Mamillius.
The mood becomes significantly more lighthearted in Act 4 with the shift to the pastoral scene in Bohemia. In addition, it is often romantic due to this Act's focus on the relationship between Florizell and Perdita, as well as humorous when the Act foregrounds Autolycus's antics. Finally, the introduction of magical elements toward the end of Act 5, such as the statue of Hermione coming to life, contributes to a dreamy and fantastical atmosphere. All in all, the variability of mood throughout the play draws audience members along, immersing them in the changes of scene and evoking emotional responses to characters' shifting fortunes, as befits a Shakespearean romance.
