An examination of the validity of the fourth chapter entitled, "From Peking to Bengal," from Marco Polo's "Description of the World."
Written in 2006; 2,771 words; 6 sources; MLA; $ 82.95
Paper Summary:
This paper discusses the fourth chapter from Marco Polo's "Description of the World," entitled "From Peking to Bengal," which describes his voyage throughout Cathay. The writer compares the different versions of the fourth chapter and explains where it is accurate and where it is not. Parts that are either second-hand accounts or later editorial additions are also identified. The writer explains why it is unlikely that Polo actually reached Bengal, and why, based on the accuracy of the societal customs as verified by other sources, he was in Tibet, Kaindu and Zar-dandan. The paper concludes that, based on the fourth chapter, it seems that Marco Polo did, in fact, visit most of the regions that he discusses.
From the Paper:
"The fourth chapter relies heavily on the R and Z manuscripts. Many of the details in the battle between Kublai Khan and the King of Mien and Bengal and the legend of the Golden King are found only in the R or Z manuscripts. Although there are discrepancies in some of the accounts in the fourth chapter, it is mainly accurate. In all likelihood Polo visited a number of the sites that he lists. As for the inaccuracies, they are probably caused by second-hand accounts of areas that Polo did not visit himself. The description of the bridge in the beginning is mostly accurate when compared to the bridge as it stands today. As for Bengal, it is unlikely that Polo actually traveled there because if he had done so he would not have misidentified it as a part of China. Similarly the legend concerning the Golden King and Prester John is either completely a second-hand account or added by later editors."
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library.Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"", Essays on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"", Research papers on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"", Student papers on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"", Book reports on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"", Dissertation on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"", Thesis on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"", Summary of paper on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"", Articles written on "Marco Polo: "From Peking to Bengal"".