1. Reporting Creon's Decree: The messenger is the one who informs Antigone and Ismene about Creon's decree forbidding the burial of Polyneices. This sets the stage for the conflict that drives the play and highlights Antigone's defiance of the law.
2. Revealing the Burial of Polyneices: After Antigone is arrested for burying her brother, the messenger brings the news to Creon, confirming that someone has disobeyed his orders and performed the forbidden act.
3. Describing the Scene of Antigone's Arrest: The messenger provides a vivid account of the scene where Antigone is discovered pouring libations and scattering dust over Polyneices' body, giving the audience a firsthand perspective of the events leading to her capture.
4. Uncovering the Fate of Haemon: The messenger is the bearer of tragic news when he reports Haemon's suicide to Creon. This devastating event exacerbates the emotional weight of the play and underscores the dire consequences of Creon's actions.
5. Providing Context for Creon's Reversal: The messenger's report about the blind prophet Teiresias's prophecies and warnings prompts Creon to reconsider his stance. Teiresias's insights and the potential divine consequences of Creon's actions play a crucial role in shaping Creon's eventual change of heart.
Overall, the messenger in Antigone serves as a source of crucial information, propelling the plot forward and creating dramatic tension. Through the messenger's accounts, the audience gains insight into events that happen beyond the immediate stage, intensifying the impact of Antigone's actions and the consequences that unfold throughout the play.