What is the purpose of music/songs in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night?

Question

Does the music indicate changes in scenes, set the mood, or highlight themes? I've been trying to figure this out for a while but i just can't seem to. To me it seems that it does all three of those things. What do you think???

Answer 1

Twelfth Night was originally written to be performed (at least the first few times) before nobility, either at court, or at one of the Great Houses, probably for a Twelfth Night celebration, an occasion for dances, songs, masques and elaborate feasting and merriment. The play, with its themes of confused identities, love and comic characters, was a perfect entertainment for an Elizabethan audience, and the music and songs within the play fit the mood nicely.

Answer 2

The music sets the scene and the mood.