Final answer:
In the play Antigone by Sophocles, a messenger brings news of the attempted burial of Polynices. The messenger describes the burial in detail, explaining the rituals and the significance of the act. This news is significant because it goes against the king's edict.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the play Antigone by Sophocles, the news of the attempted burial of Polynices is brought by a messenger who describes the burial in detail. The messenger explains how they offered prayers, washed the body with lustral waves, placed it on fresh-lopped branches, and lit a pyre to honor Polynices' memory. This news of the attempted burial is significant because in the play, the edict of the king prohibits anyone from burying Polynices, making this act a rebellion against the king's authority.