The songs of Feste and their contribution to the main themes of the play Music played an important role in the 16th and 17th centuries during which Shakespeare was writing. Perhaps this is why there are frequent references to music in most of Shakespeare's plays. Shakespeare's plays such as The Tempest and Twelfth Night are full of songs and music. The comedy Twelfth Night has four main songs all sung by Feste. Feste is officially the Clown in the play, although he is also sometimes called the Fool. One of the Clown's functions in Shakespearean comedy is to provide music. According to the critic Richmond Noble the reason for this may be the fact that "The Clown in Shakespeare's time was usually a man capable of entertaining his audience with music and singing. Feste possesses a 'mellifluous voice' in which he can sing with equal skill love". songs and songs of life”. There are four songs in the show all sung by Feste starting with "O Mistress Mine, where are you wandering?" (Act II, scene III). "Come away, come away death", which is the second song of the play and is found in Act II, Scene iv. Feste's song "I am goes, sir" (Act IV, Scene ii) is the third song of the play and is Feste's farewell to Malvolio. The final song of the play is the epilogue at the end of Act V, which begins with "When I Was a Little Boy". The first song is performed at Sir Toby and Sir Andrew's enthusiastic request for a love song..