The tale of Marco Polo's journey across Asia is a captivating blend of exploration and storytelling. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its intriguing mix of fact and fiction, as well as Marco Polo's rare ability to objectively document unfamiliar territories. This travel narrative has been passed down through numerous manuscript versions, none of which are original, prompting scholarly debate over the authenticity of its contents.

The Manuscript Mystery

The Travels of Marco Polo has been preserved in various languages, yet the original manuscript is lost to history. Scholars believe Rustichello, a scribe, first transcribed it in French. No complete version exists today, leading to continuous academic speculation about what the original might have contained versus later additions by other scribes. Distinguishing Marco Polo's firsthand observations from Rustichello's embellishments remains a critical scholarly endeavor. Additionally, the challenge of aligning historical names and places with modern equivalents further complicates the analysis, as changes in orthography and transliteration have obscured clear connections over time.

A Literary Classic

Despite these complexities, The Travels of Marco Polo holds a significant place in historical-travel literature. It aligns with works like Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia regum Britanniae and Richard Hakluyt’s writings on exploration, forming a fundamental part of this literary tradition. These works often merge fact with fantasy and demonstrate a pervasive credulity towards the supernatural, reflecting the mindset of their times. Therefore, modern readers approach Polo’s accounts with a degree of skepticism, mindful of the blend of reality and imaginative storytelling typical of the era.

A Merchant's Perspective

Marco Polo crafted his narrative for a Western audience largely uneducated about the East, primarily motivated by commercial interests. His emphasis was on depicting the East as a land worthy of Western interest, focusing on trade and religious aspects rather than sociopolitical ones. His accounts were intended to spark enthusiasm for discovering a safe maritime route to the East, thereby enhancing Western understanding of Eastern culture and commerce. Despite some inaccuracies, Polo’s journey offers insights into both Western medieval attitudes and the conditions in Eastern regions at the time.

Christianity and Cultural Exchange

One revealing aspect of Polo's account is the interaction between Christianity and Eastern religions. Kublai Khan had previously requested that Nicolo and Maffeo Polo bring back learned Christians to engage with Eastern scholars on religious matters. Ultimately, this mission attracted only two priests who abandoned the journey partway. The request suggests Kublai Khan's intellectual curiosity rather than a desire to convert to Christianity, indicating a broader cultural interest in foreign beliefs.

Linguistic Limitations

Marco Polo claimed proficiency in four languages of the Tartar nation, likely including Mongol, Turkish, and possibly Persian; however, he appears not to have learned Chinese. This linguistic barrier would have influenced the scope and accuracy of his information and how he perceived and reported on his experiences. Consequently, his narrative is a reflection of both his linguistic capabilities and limitations.

Fact and Fiction

Polo's account also contains questionable elements, such as geographical inaccuracies and legendary tales devoid of empirical evidence. For instance, he confused the locations of Alexander's barricade and the Great Wall of China. His narrative also perpetuates the Prester John legend without supporting data. Moreover, while he noted the prevalence of rice in Eastern diets, he omitted significant details like the consumption of tea and the art of Chinese printing. Despite these oversights, his general depiction of the East is supported by other historical documents of that era.

Cultural Tolerance

Marco Polo's narrative reflects his tendency to categorize people by religion, distinguishing among Jews, Christians, Muslims, and what he termed "idolatrous heathens" (primarily Buddhists and Hindus). Interestingly,...