The Hunchback of Notre Dame Character Analysis

Quasimodo

Quasimodo is a young man with a hunchback who lives inside Notre Dame and works as the cathedral’s bell-ringer. Quasimodo is abandoned by his parents as a baby and swapped for the beautiful infant Esmeralda… read analysis of Quasimodo

Esmeralda

Esmeralda is a beautiful young woman who dances and performs tricks with her pet goat, Djali, in the square outside Notre Dame. Although Esmeralda has been raised by gypsies and is thought of… read analysis of Esmeralda

Claude Frollo

Claude Frollo is the Archdeacon of Notre Dame and the adoptive father of Quasimodo. Frollo is also Jehan Frollo’s older brother and he cares for Jehan when their parents die while Jehan is… read analysis of Claude Frollo

Pierre Gringoire

Pierre Gringoire is a writer and philosopher and a comic figure throughout the novel. Gringoire is a mildly ambitious man who is commissioned to write a play for the arrival of a Flemish princess in… read analysis of Pierre Gringoire

Phoebus De Chateaupers

Phoebus is the Captain of the King’s guards, a brave soldier, and a handsome young man. Although he is engaged to a young noblewoman, Fleur-de-Lys de Gondelaurier, Phoebus is a womanizer and lives a… read analysis of Phoebus De Chateaupers

Jehan Frollo

Jehan is Claude Frollo’s younger brother and a student at the University in Paris. Jehan is adopted by Frollo at a young age, after their parents die from the plague. Although Frollo provides the… read analysis of Jehan Frollo

Clopin Trouillefou

Clopin Trouillefou is a notorious thief and begger in Paris and is known among the “truants” as the “King of Thunes.” Clopin begs for alms in the city and wears a fake wound… read analysis of Clopin Trouillefou

Fleur-de-Lys de Gondelaurier

Fleur-de-Lys de Gondelaurier is a beautiful young noblewoman who is engaged to Phoebus. She is training to be a companion to a Flemish princess who has recently married a French noble, and she is… read analysis of Fleur-de-Lys de Gondelaurier

Paquette la Chantefleurie/Sister Gudule

Paquette la Chantefleurie is a woman from Rheims who lives as a recluse in Paris, in a horrible cell known as the “rat-hole.” She is also Esmeralda’s mother. The two were separated when Esmeralda… read analysis of Paquette la Chantefleurie/Sister Gudule

Louis XI/Compere Tourangeau

Louis XI is the King of France and is an old man in the period in which the novel is set. Louis XI is depicted as a stingy and vicious king who only cares about… read analysis of Louis XI/Compere Tourangeau

Jacques Coppenole

Jacques Coppenole is a Flemish politician and a hosier (a clothmaker) by trade. He is in Paris to supervise the marriage of a French noble to the Flemish princess. Jacques Coppenole is a popular figure… read analysis of Jacques Coppenole

Jacques Charmolue

Jacques Charmolue is a priest and a prosecutor for the court. He is a student of Claude Frollo, who teaches him alchemy, and he is responsible for finding evidence against those accused of witchcraft… read analysis of Jacques Charmolue

La Falourdel

La Falourdel is the landlady of the inn where Phoebus tries to seduce Esmeralda. Phoebus is stabbed by Frollo, who has been watching the seduction from a cupboard. La Falourdel believes that Frollo… read analysis of La Falourdel

Minor Characters

Jacques Coictier

Jacques Coictier is Louis XI’s doctor.

Pierrat Torterue

Pierrat Torterue is the torturer for the court. He tortures Esmeralda during her trial.

Olivier le Daim

Olivier le Daim (or Olivier the Bad) is an advisor to Louis XI and a real historical figure.

Guillaume Rym

Guillaume Rym is a Flemish ambassador and a sly and ruthless politician.

Mahiette

Mahiette is a woman from Rheims who has come to visit Paris. She is friends with Oudarde and Gervaise and has a son named Eustache. During her visit, she recognizes Sister Gudule and reveals her true identity to be Paquette la Chantefleurie.

Gervaise

Gervaise is a Parisian woman and a friend of Oudarde and Mahiette.

Oudarde

Oudarde is a Parisian woman and a friend of Gervaise and Mahiette.

Tristan l’Hermite

Tristan l’Hermite is a soldier and Louis XI’s bodyguard.

Heriet Cousin

Heriet Cousin is a guard.

Eustache

Eustache is Mahiette’s young son.

Djali

Djali is Esmeralda’s pet goat.

Robin Poussepain

Robin Poussepain is a friend of Jehan’s.

Aloïse de Gondelaurier

Aloïse de Gondelaurier is the mother of Fleur-de-Lys.

Robert d’Estouteville

Robert d’Estouteville is the Provost of Paris.

Florian Barbidienne

Florian Bardedienne is a deaf magistrate.

The Cardinal

The Cardinal is a religious official who attends the “Feast of Fools.”