Twelfth Night
by William Shakespeare

Twelfth Night: Mood 1 key example

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Definition of Mood

The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect of a piece of writing... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes... read full definition

Key Examples in Twelfth Night

Act 5, scene 1
Explanation and Analysis:

Although the overall mood of Twelfth Night is joyful, it changes slightly depending on which characters are present in a scene and where the scene takes place. Scenes taking place at Orsino's court, which are often set to music, are usually whimsical and romantic. The conversations between Orsino and Viola that occur here can be comedic at times, but they are generally quite earnest. The mood is similar during conversations between Sebastian and Antonio, as the audience is keenly aware of the loyalty and affection that the characters have for one another.