What news does the second messenger reveal to Creon regarding his family?

The second messenger reveals to Creon that his wife is dead, which is a pivotal moment in the play that deepens the tragedy of Creon’s character. This news follows the devastating events that unfold as a result of Creon’s decisions regarding the punishment of Antigone and the enforcement of his edicts.

The messenger describes how Creon's wife, Eurydice, took her own life in response to the grief of losing their son Haemon, who also died as a result of the conflict between his loyalty to Antigone and his father's rigid rule. This not only adds to Creon's personal loss but also serves as a critical indicator of the consequences of his pride and inflexibility.

This tragic development emphasizes themes of fate, the impact of personal choices, and the interconnectedness of family relationships within the narrative. It also illustrates the catastrophic outcomes that arise when authority and familial ties are placed at odds.