Act 1 Scene 1 Messina talk Conversation between Leonarto and the messenger
The opening scene of the play gives great insight into the town of Messina and the way that language and talk is a key skill in surviving in the city. From the very beginning of the scene it is immediately made clear to the audience that there is a clear issue of status amongst the people of the town and this is shown in the formality in which people speak. The messenger expresses this in his opening line. ... This is also expressed again when Leonarto asks the messenger how many ‘gentlemen’ were lost in the war to which the messenger replies ‘but few of any sort and none of name’.