Esmeralda Character Analysis in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

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 as a gypsy by the people of Paris, she is in fact the daughter of Paquette la Chantefleurie (or Sister Gudule), a recluse who believes that her baby (Esmeralda) was killed by gypsies. In addition to her immense beauty, which attracts the attention of many of the male characters in the novel, Esmeralda is extremely virtuous and kind. When Quasimodo tries to kidnap Esmeralda on Frollo’s orders, she forgives him and even offers him water after he has been publicly beaten for her attempted abduction. She also agrees to marry Pierre Gringoire (a stranger to her) after he wanders into the “Court of Miracles,” where Esmeralda lives with her gypsy friends, to save him from being hung as a trespasser. Esmeralda is a vivacious and joyous young woman; she loves her freedom and her ability to dance and wander wherever she likes. She is frequently compared to birds and flying insects throughout the novel, which represent her desire to be free. Her love of life and nature is emphasized through her love of sunlight and her infatuation with the handsome Captain of the guards, Phoebus De Chateaupers, whose first name means “sun.” Esmeralda is innocent and naïve, however. She falls in love with Phoebus, even though he is only interested in seducing her, and she believes that her virtue (Esmeralda has taken a vow of chastity) will protect her against evil. Esmeralda is tragically proved wrong: she becomes the victim of relentless and unjust persecution when Claude Frollo, who is tormented by his infatuation with her, tries to have her hanged as a witch. Esmeralda is executed on a charge of witchcraft at the end of the novel and her death represents the fragile state of beauty and freedom in a violent and ugly world.

Esmeralda Quotes in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The The Hunchback of Notre Dame quotes below are all either spoken by Esmeralda or refer to Esmeralda. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Gothic Architecture, History, and Art Theme Icon

Gringoire was what today we would call a true eclectic, one of those elevated, steady, moderate, calm spirits who manage always to steer a middle course […] and are full of reason and liberal philosophy, while yet making due allowance for cardinals […] They are to be found, quite unchanging, in every age, that is, ever in conformity with the times.

Related Characters: Pierre Gringoire, The Cardinal, Claude Frollo, Esmeralda

Related Symbols: Notre Dame

Page Number and Citation: 53

Explanation and Analysis:

It is comforting, as I say, that today, having lost all the pieces of her armor one by one, her superfluity of torments, her inventive and fantastic punishments, the torture for which, every five years, she remade a leather bed in the Grand-Châtelet, this old suzeraine of feudal society has been almost eliminated from our laws and our towns, has been hunted down from code to code and driven out town-square by town-square, until now, in all the vastness of Paris, she has only one dishonored corner of the Grève and one miserable guillotine, furtive, anxious and ashamed, which always vanishes very swiftly after it has done its work, as if it were afraid of being caught in the act!

Related Characters: Esmeralda

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 81

Explanation and Analysis:

Around her, all eyes were fixed and all mouths agape; and as she danced, to the drumming of the tambourine she held above her head in her two pure, round arms, slender, frail, quick as a wasp, with her golden, unpleated bodice, her billowing, brightly-colored dress, her bare shoulders, her slender legs, uncovered now and again by her skirt, her black hair, her fiery eyes, she was indeed a supernatural creature.

Related Characters: Esmeralda, Pierre Gringoire

Page Number and Citation: 82

Explanation and Analysis:

[…] it was lit by the harsh red light of the bonfire, which flickered brightly on the encircling faces of the crowd and on the dark forehead of the girl, while at the far end of the square it cast a pale glimmer, mingled with the swaying of the shadows, on the black and wrinkled old facade of the Maison-aux-Piliers on one side and the stone arms of the gallows on the other.

Related Characters: Esmeralda, Pierre Gringoire, Claude Frollo

Page Number and Citation: 83

Explanation and Analysis:

Such voluntary abdication of one’s free will, such a subjection of one’s own fancy to that of some unsuspecting other person, has about it a mixture of whimsical independence and blind obedience, a sort of compromise between servitude and freedom which appealed to Gringoire, whose mind was essentially a mixed one, both complex and indecisive, holding gingerly on to all extremes, constantly suspended between all human propensities.

Related Characters: Esmeralda, Pierre Gringoire

Page Number and Citation: 90

Explanation and Analysis:

In this city, the boundaries between races and species seemed to have been abolished, as in a pandemonium. Amongst this population, men, women, animals, age, sex, health, sickness, all seemed communal; everything fitted together, was merged, mingled and superimposed; everyone was part of everything.

Related Characters: Pierre Gringoire, Esmeralda

Page Number and Citation: 100-101

Explanation and Analysis:

He realized there were other things in the world besides the speculations of the Sorbonne and the verses of Homerus, that man has need of affection, that without tenderness and love life was just a harsh and mechanical clockwork, in need of lubrication.

Related Characters: Claude Frollo, Jehan Frollo, Esmeralda

Page Number and Citation: 161

Explanation and Analysis:

When one does evil one must do the whole evil. To be only half a monster is insanity. There is ecstasy in an extreme of crime.

Related Characters: Claude Frollo (speaker), Esmeralda

Page Number and Citation: 329

Explanation and Analysis:

Esmeralda Character Timeline in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The timeline below shows where the character Esmeralda appears in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Justice, Punishment, and Freedom Theme Icon

...of the students in the window looks out into the square and suddenly shouts, “La Esmeralda!” The remaining people in the hall dash out when they hear this and Gringoire despairs.... (full context)

Appearances, Alienation, and Hypocrisy Theme Icon

The Supernatural, Rationalism, and Knowledge Theme Icon

...so beautiful that she seems to be an “angel” or a “supernatural creature.” This is Esmeralda. (full context)

As Gringoire watches, Esmeralda’s hair falls from its braid and a coin drops to the ground. Gringoire realizes that... (full context)

Among the crowd, Gringoire notices a stern-looking man who stares at Esmerelda with an intense, passionate expression. He is a youngish man, but he has a very... (full context)

Esmeralda calls her pet goat, Djali, and she sits down on the rug she has been... (full context)

...church and the crowd falls about laughing. Frollo cries out that this is blasphemy and Esmeralda, who seems to recognize Frollo, quickly gathers up her things and begins to collect money... (full context)

Just at that moment, a shrill voice screams at Esmeralda to leave the square. It is a religious recluse who lives in a cell known... (full context)

In the middle of the square, Esmeralda begins to sing and Gringoire finds her song uplifting. The recluse breaks in again and... (full context)

Gringoire sees Esmeralda leave the square and follows her to see where she will go. As he wanders... (full context)

Esmeralda enters the winding, narrow streets that surround the cemetery of the Holy Innocents. Gringoire follows,... (full context)

Gringoire sees two men catch hold of Esmeralda. Djali bleats frantically and Gringoire calls out for help. One of the men disappears, while... (full context)

Quasimodo makes to attack Phoebus, but the king’s guards seize him and drag him away. Esmeralda looks up at Phoebus and sees that he is a handsome young man. She seems... (full context)

...an effigy of the Virgin Mary. At first, dazed from his fall, he daydreams about Esmeralda. He realizes after a while that he is cold and wet from lying in the... (full context)

...him for a husband. As he is about to be hanged, the crowd parts and Esmeralda appears. She solemnly tells Clopin that she will marry Gringoire and Clopin cuts Gringoire down.... (full context)

Gringoire follows Esmeralda to her room and finds himself alone with her. He is amazed by the night’s... (full context)

Gringoire is surprised and confused, but he immediately backs down and asks Esmeralda why she has married him. Esmeralda replies that she married him to save him and... (full context)

At last, Djali gets Emseralda’s attention by chewing her skirt and Gringoire asks Esmeralda if she will be his friend.... (full context)

Gringoire suddenly remembers that, earlier in the evening, Quasimodo tried to abduct Esmeralda. He asks her how she escaped. Esmeralda does not reply and Gringoire asks her why... (full context)

Gringoire then tells Esmeralda his life story. He is an orphan and has tried many different trades, without much... (full context)

At this moment, a bracelet falls from Esmeralda’s wrist and Gringoire bends to pick it up. When he straightens up again, Esmeralda has... (full context)

As they approach the square, they hear Esmeralda’s tambourine. Oudarde and Gervaise hurry Mahiette along, eager for her to see the gypsy. When... (full context)

...and the police often beat her. This all changes when Paquette gives birth to a daughter whom she loves more than anything in the world. She continues to live as a... (full context)

...in the town goes to see them to have their fortunes told. Paquette takes her daughter along and is amazed by the prosperous future that the gypsies predict. When she gets... (full context)

When Paquette returns, however, the baby is gone. Although she searches desperately all over Rheims, Paquette finds no trace of her... (full context)

...of people from the village rush to the gypsy camp to try to find the baby. The gypsies are gone when they arrive, however, and all they find are a few... (full context)

...to her knees and cries over the little shoe—all that she has left of her baby. Not long after this, she disappears from Rheims and rumor has it that she has... (full context)

...and water. Though the women try to comfort her, Paquette begins to weep for her baby and beats her head against the wall so hard that they think she is dead.... (full context)

...who seem to grow more excited by Quasimodo’s pitiful cries. Suddenly, the crowd parts and Esmeralda and Djali walk towards Quasimodo. (full context)

Quasimodo recognizes Esmeralda because he tried to abduct her the previous evening. He has a vague sense that... (full context)

...of this spectacle—the beautiful girl giving water to the hunchback—and they begin to cheer for Esmeralda. Another voice interrupts their cries, however, as Paquette la Chantefleurie screams a curse at Esmeralda. (full context)

Shocked by the Paquette’s curse, Esmeralda staggers down from the pillory and rushes away. The crowd loses interest and begins to... (full context)

...then, a little girl among the party leans over the balcony and cries excitedly that Esmeralda is in the square below, dancing for the crowd. The young ladies rush over to... (full context)

...rescued from two men who wanted to abduct her. Phoebus comes to look and recognizes Esmeralda. As they watch Esmeralda, the group notices a man in the tower of Notre Dame... (full context)

Fleur-de-Lys suggests that, since Phoebus knows Esmeralda, he should invite her inside. Phoebus calls down to Esmeralda and she looks up from... (full context)

Phoebus asks Esmeralda if she remembers him and Esmeralda says that she does. Phoebus then asks her if... (full context)

Phoebus defends Esmeralda and tells her she is beautiful. Fleur-de-Lys looks upset by this, but Esmeralda breaks into... (full context)

Esmeralda bends down to stroke Djali and Fleur-de-Lys notices a leather pouch tied to Djali’s neck.... (full context)

...he spells out the word “Phoebus” with his hoof. The girl squeals with delight and Esmeralda turns bright red when she sees this. Fleur-de-Lys looks at the letters and bursts into... (full context)

Before Esmeralda can explain, Fleur-de-Lys cries that Esmeralda is a witch and falls into a swoon. Aloïse... (full context)

The man who watches Esmeralda from the tower of Notre Dame is, in fact, Claude Frollo. He is in his... (full context)

Frollo watches Esmeralda with a strange, fiery look in his eyes. He notices that there is a man... (full context)

...notice. Frollo thinks this is odd. He hurries downstairs and bursts out into the square. Esmeralda has gone. Frollo looks around and sees the street performer, who holds a chair in... (full context)

Frollo asks Gringoire how he has ended up as Esmeralda’s companion and Gringoire answers that Esmeralda is his wife. At this, Frollo becomes enraged and... (full context)

Gringoire also explains that Esmeralda carries a dagger to fend off men’s advances. Frollo questions Gringoire about Esmeralda and Gringoire... (full context)

When Frollo hears about the priest, he seems upset. Gringoire continues that Esmeralda does not practice witchcraft, so she is not afraid of the priest. Gringoire helps her... (full context)

Frollo asks Gringoire what “Phoebus” means to Esmeralda, and Gringoire says that she seems to think the word is magical and often murmurs... (full context)

...he is worried for the sake of Gringoire’s soul. If Gringoire were to sleep with Esmeralda, Frollo says, then Gringoire would be ensnared by Satan and destined for Hell. Gringoire shrugs... (full context)

...runs and leaps alongside them. However, when he glances down into the square, he sees Esmeralda laying out her carpet, ready to perform, and he abruptly forgets about the bells. All... (full context)

...to make gold. Some women’s names, he continues, are believed to be pure: names like “Esmeralda.” Frollo cuts himself off and throws himself back in his chair in frustration. He mutters... (full context)

...to talk of alchemy and Charmolue suddenly asks Frollo when he wants him to bring Esmeralda in for questioning. The case against her is all prepared, Charmolue informs him. Frollo turns... (full context)

Frollo murmurs that Esmeralda is like the fly—she loves freedom and seeks sunlight—and that he is like the spider.... (full context)

...compare their many sexual conquests. Phoebus tells Jehan to hurry up: he does not want Esmeralda to see him. Jehan asks Phoebus what he wants with Esmeralda and Phoebus smirks lecherously... (full context)

Jehan asks Phoebus if he is sure Esmeralda will come and Phoebus confidently assures him that she will. Frollo is horrified to hear... (full context)

...but Phoebus is used to drinking and announces that he must go—he is to meet Esmeralda at seven. (full context)

...Jehan if he has any money left, as Phoebus needs some for his meeting with Esmeralda. Jehan says he has spent all the money he took from Frollo. Jehan rambles drunkenly... (full context)

...is very tight. Frollo asks Phoebus whom he plans to meet. Phoebus says it is Esmeralda. Frollo snarls that Phoebus is a liar and, insulted, Phoebus shoves Frollo off and draws... (full context)

...that Phoebus allow Frollo to hide somewhere in the room and watch his tryst with Esmeralda. Phoebus agrees to this and takes the money. Frollo follows him to the door of... (full context)

...is hot as he peers out through a crack in the door. When he sees Esmeralda enter the room, Frollo faints. (full context)

When Frollo wakes up, he looks into the room once more and sees Phoebus and Esmeralda seated side by side on a pallet bed, beside a broken window. Esmeralda appears nervous... (full context)

Phoebus suddenly says that there is a woman who will be jealous of Esmeralda and Esmeralda seems taken aback. Phoebus brushes this off, confesses his love again, and starts... (full context)

...like those of a tiger as it closes in on its prey. Phoebus suddenly exposes Esmeralda’s breasts and she draws back, shocked. An amulet dangles around her neck and Esmeralda explains... (full context)

Phoebus pushes Esmeralda back onto the bed and climbs on top of her. As she stares up at... (full context)

Gringoire and his companions in the “Court of Miracles” are deeply concerned about Esmeralda. No one has seen her or Djali for several weeks. One afternoon, as Gringoire wanders... (full context)

...if Phoebus is alive. Gringoire is horrified to see that the woman on trial is Esmeralda. The judges silence her and order the next witness to be brought in. The next... (full context)

Jacques Charmolue approaches Djali with Esmeralda’s tambourine and shakes it. Djali immediately begins to do tricks and the crowd gasps with... (full context)

One of the judges announces that this proves Esmeralda is a witch and that she lured Phoebus to his death with the help of... (full context)

Jacques Charmolue escorts Esmeralda to the torture chamber, where Pierrat Torterue waits. When she sees the instruments of torture... (full context)

Jacques Charmolue adds many terrible charges of demonology and witchcraft to Esmeralda’s confession. Esmeralda admits blindly to every one of them. Charmolue then tells her that she... (full context)

Back in the courtroom, the crowd grows impatient to hear Esmeralda’s sentence. They are relieved when she limps back to her chair and Jacques Charmolue announces... (full context)

...Paris, there is a network of chambers and tunnels in which condemned prisoners are kept. Esmeralda is locked in a dark cell, with only a bundle of straw to sleep on... (full context)

Esmeralda has been in prison for several weeks when the trapdoor opens and, instead of the... (full context)

Esmeralda sinks to the ground before Frollo, like a bird before a predator, and tells him... (full context)

Frollo says that one day he saw Esmeralda dance in the square and became intoxicated by her beauty. He felt fate seize hold... (full context)

From that day on, Frollo grew more and more obsessed with Esmeralda. He felt that she was taunting him, that she possessed his soul, and that she... (full context)

Frollo explains that one day he heard Phoebus speak lecherously of Esmeralda in the street. When Esmeralda repeats Phoebus’s name, Frollo seizes her and tells her not... (full context)

Frollo falls to the ground and begs Esmeralda to take pity on him and not to be disgusted by him. Esmeralda murmurs Phoebus’s... (full context)

Frollo coldly tells Esmeralda that Phoebus is dead, and Esmeralda flies at him in a rage. She tells Frollo... (full context)

In the “rat-hole,” Paquette la Chantefleurie laments the loss of her daughter and cries over the little pink shoe. The shoe, which once symbolized all the joy... (full context)

...gypsy and exclaims that she hates gypsies because they killed her child. She particularly hates Esmeralda, she says, and she has cursed her. Frollo says that she will be pleased, then,... (full context)

Although Frollo and Esmeralda believe Phoebus is dead, this is not actually the case. Phoebus’s wound was serious, but... (full context)

...witchcraft was involved. Witches were hanged almost every week in Paris, so he assumes that Esmeralda will be hanged and does not think any more about it. During his time away,... (full context)

Fleur-de-Lys is still upset with Phoebus because of his interaction with Esmeralda and because of his long absence. When Phoebus arrives at her house, however, she remembers... (full context)

...their midst on a cart. Jacques Charmolue rides in front of the cart and inside Esmeralda and Djali are tied up. Esmeralda is dressed in a white shift that shows her... (full context)

As Esmeralda approaches the gallows, the doors of Notre Dame open and a procession of priests approaches... (full context)

...square and sees Phoebus on the balcony. Frollo reels back and, suddenly furious, says that Esmeralda must die. The procession moves away, and the cart resumes its journey to the gallows.... (full context)

...has been watching the scene from Notre Dame, suddenly appears in the square and snatches Esmeralda from the guards. He carries her into the church, holds her aloft, and cries out... (full context)

Quasimodo scales the tower of Notre Dame with Esmeralda in his arms and a huge roar goes up from the crowd. Paquette la Chantefleurie,... (full context)

Before Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda, Frollo dashes from the square. He heads for the university and finds himself outside the... (full context)

As he walks, Frollo thinks bitterly that Phoebus is still alive. He hates everyone except Esmeralda, and he mourns because he has had her killed. He trusts in fate, however, and... (full context)

...at a passage from Job, however, (“a spirit passed before my face”) and thinks of Esmeralda, who he believes is now dead. He decides to visit the bell-tower, to seek solace... (full context)

At first, when Quasimodo snatches Esmeralda, she thinks that she is dead and that her spirit is being carried away. Quasimodo... (full context)

After some time, Quasimodo returns and tells Esmeralda that she must stay in the cell by day but that, at night, she may... (full context)

The next morning, Esmeralda wakes to find the sun shining into her cell. She is frightened, however, when Quasimodo’s... (full context)

Esmeralda is horrified by Quasimodo’s appearance, but she tries to see through this to his gentleness... (full context)

As the days go by, Esmeralda begins to feel her old love of life return despite her isolation. She listens to... (full context)

One day, as Esmeralda looks down on the square, she sees Phoebus ride by on his horse. Esmeralda throws... (full context)

...gone into Fleur-de-Lys’s house, where preparations for a wedding are underway. Quasimodo waits outside and Esmeralda watches from the tower above. At one point, Quasimodo looks up and sees Phoebus and... (full context)

...Phoebus tries to push Quasimodo away, but Quasimodo insists he wants to lead Phoebus to Esmeralda. Phoebus believes that Esmeralda is dead, so he thinks that Quasimodo must be a spirit... (full context)

Quasimodo returns to Esmeralda and tells her that Phoebus did not come out of the house. Esmeralda reproaches Quasimodo... (full context)

Esmeralda gathers up the wilted flowers and holds them to her breast. Although she does not... (full context)

Once Frollo is back in Paris, he hears that Quasimodo has rescued Esmeralda and that she has taken sanctuary in the church. In despair, Frollo locks himself in... (full context)

One night, Frollo can stand his position no longer. Sensual visions and dreams about Esmeralda torture him and he feels he must possess her. He takes his key for the... (full context)

Esmeralda wakes up and sees a man standing over her. She cries out when she sees... (full context)

...to Quasimodo. Quasimodo immediately lets Frollo go and falls on his knees before the priest. Esmeralda is horrified to see this and grabs a sword that Quasimodo has dropped in the... (full context)

Although Gringoire is pleased that Esmeralda and Djali have been rescued, he does not want to risk his own safety to... (full context)

...content with his lot in life. Frollo then asks Gringoire what he has done about Esmeralda. Gringoire is confused and says that he heard Esmeralda had taken refuge in Notre Dame. (full context)

Frollo says that this is true but that, in three days’ time, parliament will overrule Esmeralda’s sanctuary and she will be hanged. Gringoire says this is a pity but he does... (full context)

...already has a plan. He suggests that Gringoire should sneak into Notre Dame and give Esmeralda his clothes to disguise herself and escape. At first Gringoire likes this plan but then... (full context)

...explains that he doesn’t want to die but that he has a plan to rescue Esmeralda. The thieves in the “Court of Miracles” are very fond of Esmeralda, he says, and... (full context)

While some of the truants talk of Esmeralda, whom they plan to rescue, others discuss the many precious objects Notre Dame contains. Jehan... (full context)

Clopin is confused and says that he just wants to rescue Esmeralda. Another truant tells Clopin that the king is in Paris, but Clopin says that this... (full context)

...more aggressive towards Quasimodo recently and he constantly abuses him. Still, Frollo stays away from Esmeralda, although Quasimodo will not stop Frollo if he approaches her. After the church has been... (full context)

...mass of figures moving silently and in darkness. Quasimodo believes the crowd has come for Esmeralda. As he is an object of public hatred, he believes that Esmeralda is too and... (full context)

Quasimodo wonders frantically what to do. He wants to help Esmeralda escape, but he knows Notre Dame may be surrounded. As the crowd draws closer, they... (full context)

...Clopin raises his pitchfork and addresses the bishop in a booming voice. He demands that Esmeralda be released and given back to the truants. Up in the tower, Quasimodo cannot hear... (full context)

...guards have won and falls to his knees to give thanks. He then rushes to Esmeralda’s cell but, when he gets there, he finds it empty. (full context)

The noise of the riot wakes Esmeralda up. At first, when she looks out of her cell, she thinks that the rioters... (full context)

...Frollo, is disguised by a black cloak. Gringoire is delighted to see Djali and tells Esmeralda that they have come to rescue her. Esmeralda is relieved, but the presence of the... (full context)

...of the island on which Notre Dame sits. A small boat is moored there and Esmeralda, Gringoire, Djali, and Frollo climb in. Esmeralda is still very unnerved by Frollo and presses... (full context)

...young man was Jehan. Frollo stops rowing for a second and gives a pained sigh. Esmeralda shivers because she has heard this sound before and now knows it is Frollo. Frollo... (full context)

...can now hear cries of “hang the witch!” coming from the towers of Notre Dame. Esmeralda nearly faints with fear and clings to Gringoire. Gringoire feels conflicted. He is desperate to... (full context)

Esmeralda is left alone with Frollo. Frollo seizes her hand and drags her towards the Place... (full context)

Frollo paces before the gallows and tells Esmeralda that he can still save her. She will be hanged, though, if she does not... (full context)

Frollo is in despair. He laments that the fiery passion he feels for Esmeralda does not show through his skin. He cries out that it is not his fault... (full context)

...thy brother?” He begins to weep for Jehan’s death and says that it is all Esmeralda’s fault because she has caused him to damn himself. He sinks to the ground and,... (full context)

Esmeralda tells Frollo that he is a murderer and Frollo throws himself on her and tries... (full context)

An arm reaches through the grill in the wall and winds around Esmeralda. Paquette la Chantefleurie, the recluse who lives in the “rat hole,” holds Esmeralda tight and... (full context)

Esmeralda cries out that she is looking for her mother, whom she lost just as Paquette... (full context)

...from the floor of her cell and smashes the grate that covers the window. Lifting Esmeralda through it, Paquette begins to fawn and weep over Esmeralda, remarking on her beauty. The... (full context)

Esmeralda begs Paquette to save her. Esmeralda explains she is about to be hanged. Paquette is... (full context)

Esmeralda huddles in her corner and listens to this exchange between Paquette and the guards. She... (full context)

...desperate pleas. Eventually, the men break through the wall and Tristan orders them to take Esmeralda. Paquette begs them not to and begins to tell them her story. The men hear... (full context)

...Place de Grève to watch the execution. Heriet Cousin, a guard, weeps as he carries Esmeralda towards the gallows. Paquette follows them and clings to Esmeralda, pleading helplessly for her daughter’s... (full context)

Quasimodo desperately searches Notre Dame for Esmeralda. Before Tristan found Esmeralda in the square, Quasimodo led him all over the church to... (full context)

When he can find no trace of Esmeralda, Quasimodo returns to her cell. He finds it still empty and, in a fit of... (full context)

...follows Frollo’s gaze and sees the hangman climb the ladder up to the gallows, carrying Esmeralda. Quasimodo watches her hang and, at that moment, Frollo lets out a terrible, satanic laugh.... (full context)

On the tower, Quasimodo weeps as he watches Esmeralda’s final death throes. He looks down at Frollo’s body on the pavement and cries, “Oh,... (full context)

Quasimodo is never seen again after this day. After she is hanged, Esmeralda’s body is placed in the mass grave in the cellar of a prison called Montfaucon,... (full context)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda Character Analysis

Esmeralda Quotes in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Book 1, Chapter 3 Quotes

Book 2, Chapter 2 Quotes

Book 2, Chapter 3 Quotes

Book 2, Chapter 4 Quotes

Book 2, Chapter 6 Quotes

Book 4, Chapter 2 Quotes

Book 8, Chapter 4 Quotes

Esmeralda Character Timeline in The Hunchback of Notre Dame