Historic Voyages of Two Distinct Personalities in History, William of Rubruck and Marco Polo - Essay Example

[Running Head: Xxxxxxx] [Full of the Paper] This paper explores the historic voyages of two distinct personalities in history, William of Rubruck, and Marco Polo. They both journeyed through the lands of China, and have witnessed the different cultural practices, traditions, and way of life. However, their views and opinions vary as William of Rubruck was on a missionary journey to China, and Marco Polo, on the other hand, was a Venetian trader and explorer who travelled the world. Both travelers wrote about their journey, each describing what they have seen, learned, and experienced. This paper compares the historical accounts of both voyagers, the physical and cultural circumstances surrounding them among different societies during the Mongol time, as well as concludes which is more reliable in information. [Full Title of the Paper] As commonsense would dictate, a person's words are only as convincing as the listener's opinion of it. Two distinguished explorers have written historical accounts of their trip to China during the Mongol period. Both explorers wrote about the geographic details of the land, the cultures and beliefs of the inhabitants, and the political aspect of the society. However, seeing that William of Rubruck was a Flemish Franciscan missionary who, under Louis IX's orders, set out from Constantinople on a missionary journey to convert the Tartars, obviously illustrates the idea that his view is that of a religious individual's view. Whereas, Marco Polo, an explorer who came from a family of Venetian traders, may have views that are more freethinking in nature, as well as may bend towards the more political side. Although William of Rubruck was in China earlier than Marco Polo, they wrote historical accounts that could be compared to each other, especially on the physical and cultural circumstances surrounding these voyagers among different societies during the Mongol period. Life under the Mongol rule was illustrated by both writers, and both showed that indeed, during that time in history, it is the Khan who held power. In William of Rubrick's account, he told of how people bowed in reverence to the Mangus Khan, and that the latter was so powerful in society that once he summoned an individual, he hastens to the court of the Mangus Khan. In one of William of Rubrick's anecdote during his stay at Karakourum, he noted that once the Khan notices an irregularity and questions it, those questioned seem to tremble in fear of such circumstance. Marco Polo's account regarding the Khan's position in society was very much similar to that of William of Rubrick's. Polo described the Khan as a powerful individual, wherein each city they passed were all subject to him, and his power in conquering kingdoms is highly stressed by Polo. Polo also mentioned of the Great Khan's authority over the decisions and fate of the cities and its inhabitants. However, William of Rubrick wrote about the Mangus Khan in a more religious view. He talked about the Mangus Khan and his wives, taking into particular detail who were pagans, and who were Christians. He also noted his life in Karakourum, the encampment of the Mangus Khan, wherein he was fed well, as were the other priests, but that there were many inhabitants who were hungry and they had to share everything that they had with these unfortunate individuals. Polo, on the other hand, related about the Great Khan's power in a more political view. He acknowledged the Great Khan's power when he mentioned in his account the Great Khan's taking of Siang-yang-fu city in the province of Manzi, wherein he, his father, and his uncle were acknowledged and given credit for the successful taking of this city due to their idea. It is also stated in Marco Polo's narratives that he governed the city of Yang-chau for three years. Whereas, compared to William of Rubrick, Marco Polo enjoyed a higher position of authority in society during the time he was in this land, and was working more closely with the Great Khan in a different light as that of William of Rubrick. In accounts pertaining to the geographic descriptions of the journey, both travelers also took into account the places they passed through. However, William of Rubrick was more detailed in talking about the geographic descriptions of the land, whereas Marco Polo talked about the length of time it took to travel from one city to another, and the direction of the destination from the city they previously were at, as well as the trade and commerce aspect of each city he passed through. In the ways of life of a certain society, William of Rubruck told of the different Christian feasts and narrated in his account what occurred on that day in the Khan's camp. As for Polo, he told vastly of the life in Kinsai - explaining the people's livelihood, what they do for recreation, and explaining as to why the city of Kinsai is known as the 'City of Heaven', noting each detail carefully, illustrating it to the reader. William of Rubruck, on the other hand, talked about his undertaking in Karakourum, and how the events shaped them. In the light of customs and traditions, William of Rubruck simply told of the events in a personal journal manner, noting observantly the chain of events in a certain occasion. However, Marco Polo discussed about the customs in Chinese society in detail. He discussed about marriage customs whereas explaining thoroughly the existence of marriage contracts and covenants, and how women, particularly from Cathay, took this aspect very seriously - taking good care of their integrity, or they may be considered invaluable. He also talked about the customs in burying the dead, wherein the dead is burned together with things that he is believed to have with him in the next world. He also stressed on the fact that being honored in death is precisely what the people of Cathay wanted the most. Hence, it is clear that both travelers did have different reflections of lives of the people under the Mongol rule, as well as the interactions among the different societies during the Mongol period. However, when it comes to realizing which historical account is most reliable, it is here that we conclude that both accounts are accurate but in different aspects. William of Rubrick wrote in detail, noting down many observations along the way, asking questions a lot. His accounts of the physical circumstances are more credible to that of Polo. However, in regard to the cultural circumstances of the accounts, it is Marco Polo whose anecdotes may be deemed plausible. His carefully detailed narratives of the customs and beliefs of the people in each city in China are very much conceivable. History sees them as great men, and so they are. References Read More