Cultural Forms and Rituals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cultural Forms and Rituals - Essay Example There are similarities between the Holy Bible and the Odyssey. The two masterpieces use singing to show joy. The two art masterpieces use singing to show praise. The three masterpieces use singing to the community’s unity. First, the Holy Bible and the Odyssey indicate the people use singing to express happiness. Homer (20) emphasizes the Odyssey culture states â€Å"He was singing of the return of the Achaeans, that bitter trip Athena made them take when they sailed home from Troy (Homer).† The verse clearly shows that the singer is happy with return of Achaeans. Just like people of the current 21st century generation, people sing whenever they are happy. In addition, another verse goes â€Å"There’s nothing wrong with this man’s singing of the evil fate of the Danaans, for men praise the most the song which they have heard most recently† (Homer 21). The verse clearly shows that the people use singing as a form of religious worship. The people use singing to add more color or persuasiveness to each religious ritual. In the same manner, the Holy Bible’s (Holman732) Psalm 105:43 states â€Å"So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.† The verse indicates that the people in the community are united. The united people sang for joy. The people gladly joined in the singing activities to prove they have the same intentions as the other members of a group. Second, the Holy Bible and the Odyssey indicate the people use singing to express love. Likewise, another verse indicates â€Å"At that point, the suitors switched to dancing and to singing lovely songs. They amused themselves until dark evening came.†(Homer 24). The verse clearly shows that the suitors are united. The suitors are happy to see the main purpose of their love, the women of their dreams. The girls will surely be enchanted by their suitor’s singing. The Holy Bible’s (Stebbins 254) 1 Samuel 17: 6†¦states â€Å"and it came to pass as they cam, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.† Third, the Holy Bible and the Odyssey use singing during their worship services. In the Odyssey story, the people will choose which song fits their current religious active ties. In terms of singing, the Holy Bible shows that the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 12:27 was filled with â€Å"singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. The company of singers gathered together from the circuit around Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathifes.† (Hagen 442)The verse clearly shows that people around Jerusalem and from the nearby Netophathifes showed their happiness by singing. The Holy Bible’s Isaiah 52:9 states â€Å"Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people.† (Hagen 852). The verse clearly indicates that the people sing because they are in praise mode. Singing increases the level of the praying. Lastly, 1 Chronicles 16:7 indicates â€Å"Then on that day David first appointed the singing of praises to the Lord by A Saph and his kindred.† The Holy Bible’s (Holman 551) 2 Chronicles 20:27-278 states â€Å"Then Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. When the burnt offerings began, the song of the Lord and the trumpets began, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly was worshipping, singing the song, and blowing the trumpets –