The figurative language (used by the guard who arrests Antigone) is meant to influence the mood of the audience as:
It creates compassion for Antigone.
Antigone buried Polynieces as she wanted that the family should do the burial rights after the death. Creon didn't want Polynices' body to go through the privilege of burial because he considered Polynices as a traitor. Creon is the king of Thebes who is arrogant and who never turns back. Also, he is obsessed with the civil laws and cannot bear anyone disobeying it. He is stubborn, full of pride and only believes in his words and decisions. He orders the guards to arrest Antigone which creates compassion for Antigone.
