What act did Antigone perform on Polynices's body while the guards were watching?

Antigone's act of giving Polynices the rites of burial is significant as it reflects her commitment to honoring familial duty and the divine laws over the edicts of man. In the play, Antigone defies King Creon's decree that prohibits the burial of Polynices, who is deemed a traitor. By performing the burial rites, she not only expresses her love for her brother but also highlights the central theme of the conflict between individual conscience and state law. This act represents her courageous stand against unjust authority and emphasizes her belief in the sacredness of the burial ritual as a moral obligation. The act of burying her brother becomes a pivotal moment in the play, illustrating the consequences of her defiance and setting the stage for the tragic events that follow.