Final answer:
Noah is a figure from religious narratives who survives a divine flood by constructing an ark, saving his family and animals. His story, depicted in art and scripture like the Book of Genesis, raises questions of divine justice and mercy while symbolizing salvation. Similar flood survival stories exist in other cultures, such as the Indian myth of Manu.
Step-by-step explanation:
The figure known as "Noah," who survived a great flood and was granted eternal life by the gods, is a central character in various religious and mythological narratives. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, as depicted in paintings like The Deluge and mentioned in the Book of Genesis, Noah is known for building an ark to save his family and pairs of animals from a flood sent by God as a judgment against the wickedness of humanity. This story is seen as an act of salvation and signifies God's covenant with Noah. The narrative challenges readers to consider the nature of justice and mercy in the context of divine action.
Depictions of Noah, his ark, and the great flood are powerful icons in religious art and literature, forming part of the larger narrative of the creation, fall, and hope for redemption within Christian theology. The juxtaposition of God's wrath with the promise of salvation through Noah's faithfulness is a recurring theme. In other cultures, similar flood narratives exist, such as the story of Manu in the Matsya Purana from Indian tradition, where a great flood is also survived by a righteous individual.
Noah's story is also interwoven with the broader human narrative, as seen in the episodes described in the Book of Genesis, with Noah's family ultimately repopulating the earth. The historical interpretation known as "The Curse of Ham" further extends the narrative, explaining the settlement of Noah's descendants in various regions of the world after the flood.