Final answer:
The literal sense of Noah's Ark is a story from the Bible about God destroying a sinful world and sparing only Noah, his family, and animals on the Ark. Artistic depictions of the story represent salvation and judgement, while historical interpretations of related narratives like the Curse of Ham have evolved over time, influencing cultural views and ideologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literal sense of the story of Noah's Ark refers to the biblical account of God's decision to destroy a sinful world with a flood, preserving only Noah, his family, and representatives of all animals aboard a specially built ark. In various artistic representations, this story has been depicted to symbolize themes of divine judgement, salvation, and justice.
For instance, Villalpando's painting 'The Deluge' illustrates the Ark amidst a doomed population, revealing Christian themes of salvation from sin. Furthermore, manuscripts like the Vienna Genesis and the Jami' al-Tawarikh illustrate luxury and preservation of history and culture through their detailed depictions of scriptural stories. The account also overlaps with Mesopotamian legends such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, showcasing the adaptation and reinterpretation of ancient flood narratives within the Hebrew Bible.
The story's varied interpretations and uses throughout history also demonstrate its impact on culture and belief. For example, the Ark's representation in a Hollywood film and its similarity to the Coptic version highlight the Ark as a symbol of divine power appropriated by empires for legitimacy. Moreover, the differing interpretations of the Curse of Ham found in rabbinical writings and the broader Christian interpretations show how the same story can evolve and be used to justify ideologies such as racism, despite the absence of such details in the original text.