Marco+Polo

" I have not told half of what I saw, for I knew I would not be believed." (Lewis). As a historian Polo had to face many obstacles. Nonetheless, he also had great travels. Marco entertained neighbors by dressing in the clothes of a Chinese peasant (Smith). We see how Polo also had a great sense of humor. Marco Polo was known as the decent small boy who then got to travel around the world. Marco Polo was born 1254.(Lewis.) Marco Polo’s city state was the capital of European trade and commerce.(Smith.) Marco Polo father left home when he was about six years old.
 * Introduction**
 * Personal Background**

Marco then became a wealthy merchant, influential venetian, and a former prisoner.(Smith.) When Marco left to China, it was said he was impressed by the city.(Lewis.) Marco claimed to spent seventeen years in China.(Sabar.) Marco loved telling the people of his travels.(Deutsch.) Marco Polo surprisingly wrote a book.

Polo left his biographers a masterpiece of a memoir to work with.(Barcott.) Polo had three daughters, their names were Fantina, Bellela, and Moreta. Marco had no sons.(Sabar). They say Marco navigated the sea up to eastern extremity.(Lewis). Marco was befriended and also guided around the Bering Strait.(Lewis). Marco once has dominated the east west trade routes.(Deutsch). Marco was said to have introduced the east to west.(Smith). Marco Polo went through a lot of obstacles in life. He managed to overcome most of them. Even though he was a rich merchant, he never forgot his past. Some say he was a generous human being.

Marco Polo enjoyed music himself, while in China (Lewis). He was said to have passion for music (Lewis). Marco Polo had a dark side to him (Barcott). Polo was creative in naming things or objects (Lewis). Rossi said Polo was “certainly enough of a character” (Sabar). Marco surrendered himself calmly when he was taken as prisoner (Barcott). He loved traveling around the world it was always something he wanted to do (Lester). Marco learned and enjoyed fish eating inhabitants (Lester). Marco was not the first European to venture into China (Barcott). Marco saw animals he never saw before and described some animals as ‘ugly’ (Lewis). Marco came from a family of merchants (Lewis). Marco saw himself as the famed ruler (Deutsch). Polo insisted all his stories were true (Deutsch). Marco had astonished encounters with igloos (Lester). Marco polo had a decent personality. Marco Polo was also known for the many obstacles he had to overcome. Many accused Marco Polo of fraud (Deutsch). Marco was attacked by assassins (Lewis). Polo was attacked harshly. Marco was nearly killed by a horrible disease (Lewis). Some said Polo wrote nothing of personal maps (Sabar). This meant they thought he did not do anything original. The countrymen suspected Marco was wild fabrication (Sabar). Marco had astonished encounters with igloos, cold weather (Lester). His father left home when he was just six years old (Smith). People accused Polo of putting his account based on other stories (Deutsch). Marco was a venetian leader but he was taken as prisoner (Barcott). Although they said he was not original he insisted his stories were true (Deutsch). “The Peninsula was surrounded by sea wolves and was connected to an unknown land” (Lester). This describes Marco had to face animals when he was traveling.
 * Personality Traits**
 * Obstacles**

Marco Polo was one of the few persons to have succeeded in life. Marco was a proud father of three girls. Polo was a wealthy merchant. He made many significances in life. He also was an influential venetian. Marco thought of himself as a famed ruler. Marco had dominated the east-west trade routes (Deutsch). Polo traveled to China and enjoyed his stay there. Marco traveled 24,000 miles (Lewis). Polo also wrote a book (Deutsch). He published a book of adventures (Lewis). Marco was lucky to travel around the world. Polo recorded the shape of Alaskan coast (Sabar). Marco opened Asia to the European trade (Barcott). He had navigated the sea up to eastern extremity (Lester). Laurence Bergreen said Marco was a rollicking travel journal (Barcott). Most scholars did not really doubt that Polo had made it to China (Lester). Polo was also a venetian leader (Barcott). Marco left his biographers a masterpiece of a memoir to work with (Barcott). Marco roamed Asia and Africa and reported back to the empire, to the emperor on the people and taxable commerce he encountered (Barcott). Polo returned to Venice, assumed his place as a prominent merchant. He fought the Gepoese at Curcola and eventually wrote his famous memoir. Marco Polo, Bergreen pointed out he had to advantages rival author lacked: he took great noted and had a terrific ghostwriter (Barcott). Marco’s books were filled with violence and suspense. In the end, Marco’s greatest contribution to history was to deliver this simple news to Europe: “The Asians they are not so bad. They are kind of like us. In some ways they are better (Barcott).
 * Historical Significance**

Deutsch, Stephanie. " The Adventures of Marco Polo." //New York Times Book Review//. 14 Jan. 2007: //elibrary.// Web. 03 Oct. 2014. **SE#2** Lester, Toby."Review--Books:Marco Polo Visit To Alaska." //Wall Street Journal//. 29 Nov. 2014.c8: //elibrary//. Web. 08 Dec. 2014.**SE#6** Lewis, Kristin. " Marco Polo's Great Adventure." //Scholastic Scope//. 06 May 2013: //elibrary//. Web 13 Oct. 2014.**SE#3** Sabar, Ariel. " Did Marco Polo Discover America?" //Smithsonian//. 01 Oct. 2014: //elibrary//. Web. 17 Oct. 2014. **SE#4** Smith, Jeremy N. " Marco Polo Brings East to West." //World Trade//. 01 Mar 2007: //elibrary.// Web//.//17 Sep. 2014.**SE#1**
 * References**
 * Barcott, Bruce.**"Once Upon A Time In China." //New York Times Book Review//. 02 Dec. 2007: //elibrary.// Web.17 Nov. 2014.**SE#5**