Abstract on the topic:

Esmeralda (character)

Plan:

Introduction

• 1 Esmeralda in the original novel
• 2 Esmeralda in the musical "Notre Dame de Paris"
• 3 Esmeralda in film adaptations
  • 3.1 In the film "Cathedral" Notre Dame of Paris"(1956)
  • 3.2 In Walt Disney Studios cartoons (1996 and 2002)

Introduction

Esmeralda and Quasimodo

Esmeralda(fr. Esmeralda) - the main character of Victor Hugo's novel Notre Dame de Paris, as well as films, plays, musicals, ballets and poems based on this work.

1. Esmeralda in the original novel

In Victor Hugo's novel, Esmeralda is the illegitimate daughter of a French prostitute from Reims, Paquette Chantfleury, who is stolen by Spanish gypsies. The kidnappers gave the girl the name Esmeralda, which means “Emerald,” but from birth her name was Agnes. In case the girl ever has to leave the camp, her adoptive mother gives her her baby shoe, which will help her find her real parents if she remains chaste.

It is interesting that the residents of Reims, who knew about Paquette’s tragedy, assumed that the gypsies ate little Agnes. The myth of gypsy cannibalism was indeed very widespread in Western Europe.

In the novel, Esmeralda appears as a beautiful girl who has already matured and earns money for the camp by dancing and performing with the trained goat Jalli. The poet Pierre Gringoire, the priest Claude Frollo and the ugly bell-ringer Quasimodo, who was once given to Paquette Chantfleury instead of his stolen daughter, fall in love with her. Frollo, with the help of Quasimodo, tries to steal Esmeralda, but she is saved by officer Phoebe de Chateaupert. Esmeralda falls in love with her savior.

The image of Esmeralda in the novel is complex and tragic. She is the embodiment of chastity and naivety, completely different from the other inhabitants of the “Court of Miracles”. Even the fact that she has to dance for a living does not corrupt her. She has a kind heart: she brings water to Quasimodo when he is tied to the pillory; In order to save Gringoire, a stranger to her, from death, she agrees to be called his wife. But her openness and naivety almost lead to disaster: having fallen in love for the first time in her life, she is ready to give herself to Phoebus, even though she is sure that with the loss of her innocence, the opportunity to ever meet her parents will go away.

Esmeralda is sentenced to death on a false charge: Claude Frollo, tormented by jealousy, wounds Phoebus during his meeting with Esmeralda, and goes into hiding. Quasimodo takes her out of the loop and hides her in the Cathedral. There she lives for some time, without stopping to think about Phoebe (whose wound turned out to be light, but who had already managed to forget the gypsy). Quasimodo understands that she will never be able to reciprocate his feelings, but he is happy because he can protect her.

In the end, Claude Frollo manages to kidnap the girl from the Cathedral and he gives her a choice: either she agrees to be with him, or she will be hanged. Esmeralda refuses. The archdeacon leaves her to the recluse Gudula, who fiercely hates the gypsies because they once stole her only daughter, await your fate. Here it turns out that Gudula is Esmeralda’s mother, but it turns out too late. Gudula (aka Paquetta Chantfleury) hides the girl from the soldiers, but seeing Phoebus among them, Esmeralda, not thinking about the consequences, naively calls him. The girl was immediately hanged, and her mother died trying to protect her.

In productions and film adaptations of the novel, the details of the heroine’s birth are usually omitted and she is portrayed as a gypsy. The image of brilliant purity and innocence invented by Hugo is often omitted; instead, Esmeralda appears in the image of a fatal beauty. Often the meaning of her name is played on in Esmeralda's appearance, making her green-eyed or dressing her in a green dress.

2. Esmeralda in the musical “Notre Dame de Paris”

Esmeralda in the musical is not a stolen French girl, but a gypsy orphan girl. If in the novel it was implied that everything positive about her came from her French origin, then in the musical these were her personal qualities, which are also possible in a simple gypsy. In the musical, she does not have a trained goat; she earns money only by dancing. Many researchers of Hugo's work [ Who?] believe that the presence of Djali in the musical is fundamentally important, because there is an opinion that the goat embodies tragedy (“tragedy” in Greek is “goat song”).

3. Esmeralda in film adaptations

3.1. In the film Notre Dame (1956)

Gina Lollobrigida in this film is considered the most successful screen embodiment of Esmeralda. One of the reasons for the success, apparently, is that the actress was the first to decide to play a barefoot gypsy, as in the novel. The ending is partially changed compared to the original source: Esmeralda was killed with an arrow during the storming of the cathedral. Her last words: “Life is beautiful” (fr. C'est beauty, la vie).

Many years later, Lollobrigida created a sculpture depicting Esmeralda in dance.

3.2. In Walt Disney Studios cartoons (1996 and 2002)

In these cartoons, Esmeralda, as in the musical, is a gypsy. This beautiful girl who makes a living by dancing. She has keen sense social injustice and is ready to defend her beliefs. She has a kind character and is sensitive to people. As a tribute to her name, Esmeralda from the cartoon has green eyes.

The novel we are interested in was created by Victor Hugo in 1831. "Notre Dame Cathedral" - first historical work which was written on French. This novel is still very popular today. There are numerous film adaptations, as well as musical works, based on the work authored by Victor Hugo. “Notre Dame de Paris” is a work, like all novels, of large volume. We will describe only the main events and also present characteristics of the main characters.

First, we will introduce the reader to the plot of such a work as “Notre Dame Cathedral.”

By someone's hand, in one of the towers of the cathedral, the word "rock" was inscribed in Greek. After some time it disappeared. This is how a book about a hunchback, a priest and a gypsy arose.

On January 6, 1482, on the feast of Epiphany, a mystery called “The Righteous Judgment of the Blessed Virgin Mary” was to take place in the Palace of Justice. A crowd of people gathers at the palace to watch it. However, after the performance begins (the author of the mystery is Pierre Gringoire), the cardinal appears with the ambassadors. The audience's attention is immediately drawn to the appearing officials. The guest mocks Pierre's performance and suggests having fun differently - choosing a buffoonish dad. The one who makes the most creepy grimace will be the winner.

Esmeralda's failed kidnapping

At this moment, attention is drawn to the bell ringer Quasimodo, known for his ugliness. He is dressed, as he should be, in a robe, and then taken away to walk with him through the streets. After this, Gringoire hopes to continue the play, but someone’s cry that Esmeralda is dancing in the square leads the audience in that direction. Esmeralda is a gypsy who entertains the gathered crowd with her goat. After Quasimodo appears in the square, the girl is almost kidnapped. Gringoire, who heard her screams, immediately calls for help. Phoebe de Chateaupert, captain, becomes Esmeralda's savior.

The Rescue of Gringoire and the Punishment of Quasimodo

Pierre, by the will of fate, gets to the block where thieves and beggars live. They want to test Gringoire. He must pull out a wallet from the stuffed animal on which the bells are hung, without making any noise. Otherwise, death awaits him. However, Pierre fails and is awaiting execution. Only a woman can save Gringoire, and Esmeralda takes on this role. The day after the failed kidnapping attempt, Quasimodo is put on trial. He will have to be scourged. A large crowd watches his punishment. Quasimodo is then stoned. But then Esmeralda appears. She rises to Quasimodo and brings a flask of water to his lips.

Meeting with Chateaupert, attempted murder by Claude Frollo

After some time, Esmeralda is invited to the house of Phoebus de Chateaupert. Here he wants to have fun with his bride and her friends. When Esmeralda appears, her beauty amazes everyone, as Victor Hugo (Notre Dame de Paris) notes. When this gypsy's goat puts together the word "Phoebus" from letters, the bride faints. The gypsy is in love with the captain and is even ready to stop searching for her parents. During a meeting with Chateaupert, Esmeralda is confronted by a priest with a dagger who hates her. The girl loses consciousness. When she comes to her senses, she finds out that she allegedly killed Chateaupere.

The court verdict and the rescue of Esmeralda

Gringoire, worried about Esmeralda, learns a month later that she is to be tried at the Palace of Justice. Since the girl is innocent, she denies everything. However, after torture, Esmeralda still admits the crimes attributed to her: the murder of de Chateaupert, prostitution and witchcraft. She is sentenced to repentance, after which she is to be hanged near Notre Dame Cathedral. Claude Frollo, in love with her, offers to escape to Esmeralda, but the girl rejects his proposal. The priest responds by stating that Phoebus is alive. This is confirmed on the day of the execution, when Esmeralda sees her lover in one of the windows. Quasimodo picks up the gypsy who has fallen unconscious. He takes her hastily to the Cathedral, thereby providing refuge for the girl.

Life of Esmeralda in the Cathedral, assault

Staying here is also not easy for Esmeralda. She cannot get used to such an ugly hunchback. Quasimodo gives her a whistle so that if necessary, the gypsy can call for help. However, the archdeacon, in a fit of jealousy, attacks the girl. She is saved by Quasimodo, who almost kills Claude Frollo. However, the archdeacon cannot calm down. He calls through Gringoire thieves and beggars in order to storm the Cathedral. Pierre, no matter how much Quasimodo defends the gypsy, manages to take her from the Cathedral. When news of the riot reaches the king, he orders Esmeralda to be executed. Claude drags her to Roland's Tower.

Final Events

Hugo's book "Notre Dame de Paris" is already approaching its finale. The author transfers the action to Roland's Tower, where Paquette Chant-Fleury, who hates Esmeralda, lives. Once upon a time, her daughter was taken away from her. However, it suddenly turns out that Esmeralda is her missing girl. The mother fails to save the gypsy from execution. She falls dead when they try to stop her from being taken away. The work created by Victor Hugo (“Notre Dame de Paris”) ends with the following events: Esmeralda is executed, and then Quasimodo pushes Claude into a cliff. Thus, everyone whom the unfortunate hunchback loved is dead.

So, we have described the main events that are depicted in the work "Notre Dame Cathedral". Its analysis, presented below, will introduce you closer to the main characters of this novel.

Quasimodo

Quasimodo is central character works. His image is powerful and bright, of amazing strength, simultaneously attractive and repulsive. Perhaps, of all the other characters we meet while reading the work “Notre Dame Cathedral,” it is Quasimodo who most closely matches the aesthetic ideals of romanticism. The hero rises like a gigantic giant above a series of ordinary people absorbed in everyday activities. It is customary to draw parallels between him and Esmeralda (the opposition is ugliness and beauty), between Claude Frollo and Quasimodo (selfishness and selflessness); and also between Phoebus and Quasimodo (the deceit of an aristocrat, petty narcissism and the greatness of the human spirit) in the work “Notre Dame Cathedral”. These images are interconnected, their characters are largely revealed when interacting with each other.

What else can you say about this bell ringer? The image of Quasimodo from the work “Notre Dame Cathedral,” the analysis of which interests us, in terms of its impact can only be compared with the image of the Cathedral, which exists on the pages of the novel on an equal footing with living characters. The author himself more than once emphasizes the connection between his hero, who grew up at the temple, and Notre Dame.

In terms of events, the life story of Quasimodo is extremely simple. It is known that the hunchback of Notre Dame Cathedral was planted 16 years ago in the cradle from which Esmeralda was kidnapped. He was about four years old then. Already in childhood, the baby was distinguished by striking deformity. He only disgusted everyone. The boy was baptized, thus expelling the “devil,” and then sent to Paris, to Notre Dame. Here they wanted to throw him into the fire, but Claude Frollo, a young priest, stood up for the child. He adopted him and named him Quasimodo (this is what Catholics call the first Sunday after Easter - the day the boy was discovered). Since then, Notre Dame Cathedral has become his home. Content later life its next.

Quasimodo became a bell ringer. People didn't like him because he was ugly. They laughed at him and insulted him, not wanting to see the selfless, noble soul behind the ugly appearance. Quasimodo's passion was bells. They replaced the joy of communication for him and at the same time led to a new misfortune: Quasimodo became deaf from the ringing of bells.

We first meet him when he is elected the pope of jesters for his ugly appearance. That same day, late in the evening, he tries to kidnap Esmeralda at the request of his mentor and is put on trial for this. The judge was as deaf as Quasimodo, and, fearing that his deafness would be revealed, he decided to punish the bell-ringer more severely, without even imagining why he was punishing him. Quasimodo ended up with pillory. The crowd that had gathered here mocked him, and no one allowed the hunchback to drink except Esmeralda.

Two destinies are intertwined - a rootless freak and a beauty. Quasimodo saves Esmeralda, gives her his cell and food. Noticing that she reacts painfully to his appearance, she tries to catch the girl’s eye as rarely as possible. He sleeps at the entrance to the cell on the stone floor, protecting the gypsy’s peace. Only when the girl is sleeping does he allow himself to admire her. Quasimodo, seeing how she suffers, wants to bring Phoebus to her. Jealousy, like other manifestations of selfishness and egoism, is alien to him.

As the novel progresses, the image of Quasimodo changes, he becomes more and more attractive. At first they talked about his savagery and viciousness, but later there is no basis for such characteristics. Quasimodo begins to write poetry, trying in this way to open the girl’s eyes to what she does not want to see - the beauty of his heart. Quasimodo is ready to destroy everything, even the Cathedral, in the name of saving the gypsy. Only Claude Frollo, who is the root cause of troubles, until his hand is raised. Quasimodo was only able to speak out against him when he saw how he laughed triumphantly when Esmeralda was executed. And the bell-ringer pushed him into the abyss with his own hands. The author does not describe the last moments of Quasimodo's life. However tragic ending is revealed when, looking at the figure of Esmeralda in the noose and the silhouette of Frollo from the heights of the Cathedral, he says that this is all he loved.

Esmeralda

Of course, in the novel Notre-Dame de Paris, Esmeralda is one of the main characters. This girl is a real genius pure beauty. It's not just her appearance that is perfect. The author repeatedly emphasizes that everything is illuminated with a magical radiance when Esmeralda appears. She is like a torch illuminating the darkness. It is impossible to imagine that this girl would deliberately cause harm to anyone, as the other main characters of the novel we are interested in are capable of. She, without hesitation, saves Gringoire from the gallows, agreeing to recognize him as her husband for 4 years, according to Gypsy laws. She is the only one of the entire crowd who feels sorry for Quasimodo, who is dying of thirst, having given him a drink from a flask. If you can find a small flaw in this gypsy, it relates to the sphere of intuition and reason. The girl is completely blind and also very trusting. It’s not worth any effort to lure her into the net. She is too carried away by her own dreams and fantasies to foresee danger and look at things realistically.

Esmeralda naturally has self-esteem and pride. She is beautiful when she sings or dances. However, having fallen in love with Phoebus, the girl forgets about these qualities of hers. She tells her lover: “I am your slave.” Her inherently beautiful love for Phoebus sometimes makes her cruel to the people around her who truly idolize her. The girl is ready to force Quasimodo to spend day and night waiting for her lover. She shows displeasure when she notices that the hunchback is returning alone, and even drives him away in a fit of irritation, forgetting what she owes to the bell-ringer. Moreover, she cannot believe that Phoebus did not want to come to her. She blames Quasimodo for what happened. Esmeralda also forgets about her mother, whom she found so unexpectedly. All she needs is the distant sound of her lover’s voice to reveal her presence, thereby predetermining her own death, as well as the death of her mother and Quasimodo.

Claude Frollo

This is the archdeacon serving at Notre Dame Cathedral. He is wise in various sciences. This is rational and proud person, who is overwhelmed by passion for Esmeralda. Frollo pursues the girl relentlessly and is ready to commit any crime in order to get her. He instructs Quasimodo, his pupil, to kidnap the gypsy, and also tries to kill Captain de Chateaupert, her beloved. The girl is accused of attempted murder and sentenced to death. Then Frollo invites her to flee in exchange for satisfying his fatal passion. When Esmeralda refuses, he incites the ragamuffins of Paris to take the Cathedral in which the girl has taken refuge by storm. Claude, in the midst of this massacre, kidnaps Esmeralda. The girl again rejects his love. Enraged by death younger brother, who took part in the attack, Frollo gives his beloved to death.

Being the main driver of the action of the work, Claude himself is a rather traditional figure. He embodies a type of demonic churchman who is obsessed with passion for a woman. This type was inherited from the Gothic novel, which depicts similar protagonists. The image of Frollo, on the other hand, resembles Doctor Faustus in his learning and dissatisfaction with it. This side of the character connects the archdeacon with the line of Hugo’s novel.

Image of the Cathedral

The image of the Cathedral in the novel Notre-Dame de Paris is very important. Hugo created his novel with the goal of featuring Notre Dame as the main character. At that time, they wanted to either modernize the building or demolish it. First in France, and then throughout Europe, a movement began for the restoration and preservation of Gothic monuments after the publication of Victor Hugo's novel Notre Dame de Paris.

Notre Dame is a typical Gothic building. For this architectural style characterized by a striving upward, combined with the understanding that without earthly support the sky is unattainable. Gothic buildings seem to float in the air, they seem weightless. However, this is only at first glance. The cathedral was actually built by hundreds of craftsmen who were endowed with wild, truly popular imagination.

Notre Dame, first of all, is a center of folk and religious life Parisians. Commoners who are capable of fighting for a better future gather around him. It is also a refuge for those expelled: while a person is outside its walls, no one has the right to arrest him. The cathedral is also a symbol of oppression (feudal and religious).

Hugo did not at all idealize the Middle Ages. In the novel we find a fiery love for the Motherland, for its art and history, high poetry, depiction dark sides feudalism. Notre Dame Cathedral is an eternal structure that is indifferent to the vanity of human life.

First historical novel in French, Notre Dame has inspired many directors. Victor Hugo wrote his work to protect a cultural monument from demolition. Following the publication of the novel, a movement for the preservation and restoration of Gothic buildings developed in France and then throughout Europe.

The directors paid attention to romantic story, putting it on the same level in popularity as the play "Romeo and Juliet"..

"Esmeralda", 1905

The first attempt to bring history to the screen was made at the beginning of the 20th century. Alice Guy-Blaché and Victorena Jasse directed a silent short drama film. The plot is based on the life of the gypsy beauty Esmeralda and the hunchback bell ringer Quasimodo.

Hugo's novel was first filmed in 1905

This is the only film adaptation that retains the details of Esmeralda's origins and character from the source material. Unfortunately, this film can no longer be found.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame", 1923

American Wallace Worsley, inspired by Hugo, made a drama with elements of a horror film.

According to the plot, the archdeacon of the cathedral persuades Quasimodo to kidnap the beautiful Esmeralda. The hunchback agrees, but this crime fails - the girl is saved by officer Phoebus de Chateaupert.

Hugo's novel inspired Wallace Worsley's horror film

A detailed model of the cathedral measuring about 75 meters in height and 50 meters in width was created especially for filming. About 4 thousand extras were involved in the film, for whom appropriate costumes were specially sewn. In total, 1 million 250 thousand dollars were spent on the production of the film, which was a huge amount at that time.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame", 1939

Quasimodo, in love with Esmeralda, tries to save her and kidnaps her and locks her in his tower. But he rescues the beauty from there unloved husband. By the way, despite the marriage, the girl remains pure, as she keeps an amulet that will help her find her parents. And the amulet loses its value after losing virginity.

"Notre Dame Cathedral", 1956

This is perhaps the most famous and beloved film adaptation by viewers. The large-scale project was staged by Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix winner director Jean Delannoy. Location shooting, luxurious costumes and great game famous actors Gina Lollobrigida, Anthony Quinn and Alain Cuny were appreciated by both critics and audiences.

Gina Lollobrigida is considered the best screen embodiment of Esmeralda

Gina Lollobrigida in this film is considered the most successful screen embodiment of Esmeralda. One of the reasons for the success, apparently, is that the actress decided to play a barefoot gypsy.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame", 1996

The animated Disney film is directed by Kirk Wise and Gary Truesdale, who directed the 1991 animated film Beauty and the Beast. To adapt the novel for children, the creators changed the characters of the main characters, making them kinder. Frollo's position was changed from archdeacon to judge. Quasimodo now has assistants - three gargoyles. And in the finale, the bell ringer and Esmeralda survived.

The animators of the film visited the real Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and took many photographs to clearly reproduce the architecture and details, but there were inaccuracies in the plot of the cartoon interior decoration cathedral

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the first Disney film to use the word curse.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame", 1997

The film, directed by Peter Medak, fairly accurately conveys the love story that unfolds in the novel. In this case, the main rivalry arises between Frollo and Quasimodo.

Esmeralda... This name has become a household name, personifying purity, beauty and kindness. But is she so innocent and pure?.. And is she so kind to those around her, with whom she lives side by side? The desire to understand her actions and motives prompted me to write this analysis.

II. Esmeralda - Clopin Trouillouf
III. Esmeralda - Quasimodo
IV. Esmeralda - Claude Frollo
V. Esmeralda - Pierre Gringoire
VI. Esmeralda - ROCK.

I. Esmeralda - Feb de Chateaupere
The story of their acquaintance, and as a result of her falling in love, corresponded to all the dreams of a young girl: They are trying to kidnap her, but then He comes to the gypsy’s aid: in a uniform, with spurs, and also very attractive. Naturally, Esmeralda immediately falls in love with him, or more correctly, with his cover, completely unaware of his true face. She is ready to say goodbye to her virginity, for his sake she is ready to give up meeting her mother. However, when Claude prevented them by hitting Phoebus with Esmeralda's dagger, he quickly forgets her and returns to Fleur-de-Lys, promising to execute the gypsy. And the girl justifies all his actions by the fact that he may be sick, leave, and seeing him with his fiancee, she convinces herself that this is his sister. Thus, she does not want to see the truth at all. She invented, added to the beautiful uniform an equally beautiful soul, in which she was very mistaken. She believed that Phoebus would save her, until the very moment when Phoebus almost with his own hands took her to the gallows, but even then she was not angry with him, but blamed everyone else for everything, but not him...

II. Esmeralda - Clopin Trouilleuf.
The girl has a very tender and trusting relationship with her teacher: Clopin replaced her father and protected her. Thus, they developed almost family attachments to each other, however, in the scene with Gringoire, when the inhabitants of the Court of Miracles wanted to hang the poet, she managed to surprise everyone by taking the writer as her husband, saving the tramps from the desired spectacle - the execution of the poet. Nevertheless, Clopin and the beggars, according to Gringoire, “... venerate Esmeralda like the Virgin Mary...” And in the end it becomes clear why, Esmeralda is a born Parisian and a noblewoman!..

III.Esmeralda - Quasimodo
Their relationship changes quite dramatically on the pages of the book with Claude’s easy input. She hates him and is afraid of him in the scene when the hunchback was supposed to kidnap her at the instigation of Frollo. However, their relationship takes a turn for the worse when the gypsy gives Quasimodo water the day after his punishment. Then their friendship is strengthened on the day of Esmeralda's execution, when the bell ringer saves her and brings her to the Cathedral. There, thanks to his care and attention to the girl, their relationship becomes very strong. However, for Quasimodo, Esmeralda is not a friend, but a lady of his heart, for whom he experiences feelings comparable in strength only to those for Claude.
For her sake, he hides his feelings, showing her love not with words, but with noble deeds. The bell ringer agrees to bring Phoebus to her, whom Esmeralda saw one morning on the street, forgetting about her ambitions, and for what? - so that the girl would smile and rejoice, but the captain’s cruel refusal plunged her into deep sadness, and as a result, she would never offend Quasimodo’s sincere feelings and noble deed. The hunchback prefers to endure Esmeralda's insults rather than upset her. Around the same time, he composed poems, albeit without rhyme, albeit, but they clearly expressed his insight. It is most accurately expressed in the first lines, where there is a direct indication and description of Quasimodo’s feelings at the moment when Phoebus laughed in response to his call:
"Don't look at your face, girl,
And look into the heart
The heart of a beautiful youth is often ugly
There are hearts where love does not live."
But these words were not accepted by her, why?! Because Esmeralda was possessed by a certain stereotype: Quasimodo cannot say anything worthwhile. And she is faithful to this stupid statement, therefore, naturally, these incriminating, and therefore discrediting, words of the “bright” Phoebus are not understood. She cannot see the truly gigantic nature of Quasimodo: “For that drop of water, for that drop of pity, I am ready to pay with my life.”
She is too indiscriminate in people and in the relationships Phoebus - Esmeralda, Esmeralda - Quasimodo this is most clearly expressed. When the tramps storm the Cathedral, Quasimodo is deaf and does not hear that they have come to save Esmeralda. She is also deaf, but in her own way: she does not want to hear the truth about Phoebe. Esmeralda's deafness and Quasimodo's deafness are completely opposite and this is also one of the contrasts of the novel: she can, but does not want to hear the truth, he wants, but cannot...
IV.Esmeralda - Claude Frollo.
From the very appearance at the beginning of the novel, this man, it seems to her, is fraught with some kind of danger for her, and she quickly convinced herself of this, then Claude. But first things first.
Her feeling of fear is the basis for her prejudice against the priest. It’s not so much the person that frightens her as the cassock. Black color is generally a good basis for fear, and for a person with such a rich imagination as hers, you can’t think of a better option! And the image of an evil priest suits black color perfectly.
I read that it is the archdeacon who is called the root cause of troubles. I do not at all agree with this statement - in my opinion, the beginning of all misfortunes is... Esmeralda! Yes, yes, exactly this sixteen-year-old child! Making Frollo believe that he was a danger to her was main mistake. He was emotionally exhausted, and at the same time, constantly hearing from Esmeralda that he could harm her, that there was danger for her, of course he believed her! Who among us wouldn’t believe it if we heard this at every meeting for several months! Claude is generally a very receptive person, and in such a state he believed everything...
Unable to wait any longer, he denounces her to the spiritual court, saying that she killed the captain, having seduced and bewitched him before. He vaguely hoped that the court would give her to him. But she was tortured! HER! Unhappy, he tore his chest with the dagger of his endlessly beloved Esmeralda! When the girl screamed in hellish pain, he plunged it deep into himself.
Realizing that he can no longer hide his love, he runs to her, into a stone bag, where, according to V. Hugo, “she languished long years her mother” confess to her, hoping that she will understand him.
Esmeralda's love for Phoebus and Frollo's love for Esmeralda are similar: they are blind and doomed to an unhappy end.
Claude runs headlong into this damp dungeon to express all his tenderness to her, to hear the cherished “I let you love me,” to get some healing ointment for his tormented soul. And what did he get by opening his soul to the one for whom he would “give up all the kingdoms of the world in order to plant a kiss on her foot and die”? He received only another portion of ridicule and mockery. The girl did not appreciate his love, listening but not hearing his confession. Yes, he brought her numerous sufferings, but to mock a person like that?!! I don't understand. Esmeralda certainly did not behave like a kind person, but rather like an evil and cruel person. In the end, she could have acted more humanely - Claude came to her with an open heart, he poured out his soul to her, showed his real self, he was sincere, and what did he get in return? - “Oh, my Phoebus!”
“Man should not be a beast to man,” says V. Hugo, but she breaks this law. Behind the beautiful shell of a girl lies great faith into prejudices and at the same time the desire to destroy them, love and at the same time cruelty, a vision of external ugliness and at the same time a refusal to see the inner, sensitivity and simplicity.
Esmeralda treated Claude rather rudely and cruelly for a girl of sixteen. A man who is ready to be ridiculed because he acts differently from others (remember the scene when the gypsy gives Quasimodo, tied to the pillory, to drink), really cannot find even one kind words for another person? After all, Claude did not demand mutual love from Esmeralda, no, he said: “Humiliate me, beat me, but just let me love you! What does it cost you?” And she? Was her “kind” heart only enough to laugh evilly at him? Did she not understand that in front of people, Claude could not behave differently towards her? Did she really not understand that the rank of archdeacon obliges him to behave in a certain way, especially with a gypsy woman? And that the ban on appearing on the porch is also one of the means of protection from this all-burning love?!
Claude was not allowed to love women, but he broke this law for her sake, he, again for her sake, trampled on everything that was dear to him, he was ready to throw everything he had at her feet, for the sake of just her smile! And she? She just humiliated and laughed at him once again, and so viciously:
"She interrupted him with a terrible, harsh laugh:
“Look, my father, there is blood under your nails!”
She signed the death warrant with her own hands. To whom? - For myself. And for myself, and Claude, and Quasimodo, and Jehan, and Clopin. The gypsy listened to him, but did not hear, she saw these Tantalus torments, but the thought of pity for this man did not rush, did not even leave any noticeable trace in her soul. And why? -It’s very, very simple: she still believed that even when talking about love, the priest wished her harm. The girl convinced herself too much of this man’s deceit that now she was unable to break this truly unshakable stereotype. It was impossible for anyone to do this. Esmeralda, refusing such strong love, Frollo’s love, made another mistake, but for what, for what? -For the love of Phoebus, because of the belief that he will save her. Notice that not once did the girl think that he might refuse her. To believe in this or for such a thought to flash in your head, you need to be not so gullible and childishly naive.
In this love story, it is impossible to draw a clear conclusion, everyone determines it for themselves, but one cannot help but say that if they had been together, that is, if Esmeralda had preferred Phoebe to Claude, the story could have ended much more happily...

V. Esmeralda - Gringoire.
The story of their “wedding” is very unusual: Esmeralda, in order to save the hapless poet from the noose, agrees to be called his wife. Agree, a very brave and extraordinary act for a young girl?!! Once again the author convinces us of the originality and unpredictability of the young dancer. Here her sympathy and generosity are revealed, which did not extend to everyone (see paragraph IV).
Gringoire, unlike other men, is in love not with her, but with her goat. Strange. Unclear. But perhaps this is what helped save Esmeralda, with whom Djali was always with. After all, it was at Gringoire’s instigation that it was decided to lay siege to the cathedral, and the girl, unnoticed by anyone, would escape from it along with Frollo. It seems like a “happy ending”, but... Again panic fear to a man in a cassock prevents her from saving her own life.
It must be said that Pierre Gringoire is also not the “white and fluffy”: he forgets or remembers with extreme reluctance about the one thanks to whom he is still alive.
So let's leave Mr. Poet, let's not touch or condemn him for, even if very strange, but still affection. Everyone has their own choice...

VI. Esmeralda - Rock.
From the very beginning of the work, it is Rock, Fatalite, who controls her destiny: fatal beauty, fatal meeting with the captain, fatal blow, fatal meetings with the archdeacon, fatal salvation and no less fatal death. Does Fatalite have too much power over a girl's life? No. All these are steps of one ladder - without it, there would be nothing else: no meeting, no salvation, no death.
Everything in the life of a gypsy is controlled by fate.
Anarkia. Fatalite. Rock. Even the words themselves inspire you with an incomprehensible fear, a feeling of predetermination of your life. Scary. Frightening. But nevertheless, it is Anarkia who distributes destinies between us, and for Esmeralda, she also chose such a fate without looking, without thinking, what such a combination of different, opposite characters can give if we put them together. And yet, the ruthless hand of fate made just such a choice.
Fate is like a person conducting experiments. But only Fatalite puts them on in public, trying different combinations like a pastry chef and throwing the unsuccessful ones into the landfill. Dump of life.
Anarkia acted no less mercilessly with Esmeralda, but all the others connected with her events, like strong ropes, fall to where the girl takes them with her by the will of fate.
Only Phoebe de Chateaupert manages to escape such a “beautiful” fate - he had no feelings towards the gypsy, and therefore he remains on earth and does not die. But his cowardice, as well as the fear of being ridiculed in court for defending Esmeralda, largely determine his pitiful further existence.
...Yes, many lives, including the life of Esmeralda herself, are subject to the irrevocable lottery of fate...
Before meeting the girl, each of the heroes lived relatively calmly and, as everyone believed, happily. Her appearance revealed the true face of each of them: Phoebus de Chateaupert - low and petty, Quasimodo - noble and reliable in helping, Claude Frollo - a passionate and loving nature, Fleur-de-Lys - a capricious and terribly stubborn girl... This list of qualities revealed in each of them can be continued for a very long time. But one thing is clear: many only imagined themselves to be happy: Claude - as a clergyman, Quasimodo - among the bells, considering them almost the main thing in his life, Phoebus de Chateaupert - did he become happy when he met Esmeralda?! I think no. He believed that it was in vain to get involved with “this gypsy brat,” which brought him a lot of trouble (a wound that was jealous of Fleur-de-Lys, testimony to the court).
One thing becomes clearly visible: by the evil will of fate, Esmeralda becomes deaf to the people who tried to open her eyes to her beloved Phoebus.
Anarkia intervened in people's lives, connecting them in such a way that as soon as one fell into the abyss of oblivion, the rest would fly there too. Falling into the hands of death, the gypsy carried away both the archdeacon and the bell-ringer.
Each of them lacked just a little bit to be truly happy: Quasimodo would never become a handsome prince, Claude Frollo - young, Esmeralda - a noble and rich lady. Therefore, these three were doomed to eternal torment, because... Because everything is the will of Fatalite. This is what the ruthless Anarkia ordered and nothing can be done about it.

“...And serene angels look at human suffering and smile with their meek, indifferent smiles...” (Victor Hugo, 1834)

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Composition

ESMERALDA (French Esmeralda) is the heroine of V. Hugo’s novel “Notre Dame de Paris” (1831). E. is truly a genius of pure beauty in world literature. It's not just her appearance that is perfect - from her small, impeccably shaped legs to her dark, huge eyes and lush black hair. Hugo repeatedly emphasizes that when E. appears, everything is illuminated with some kind of magical radiance: “She was like a torch brought from the light into the darkness.” But the heroine’s soul is no less beautiful. It is impossible to imagine that she could deliberately cause harm to anyone. She, without hesitation, saves the writer of mysteries, Gringoire, from the gallows, agreeing, according to gypsy laws, to recognize him as her husband for four years; She was the only one from the huge crowd who took pity on the unfortunate Quasimodo, dying of thirst in the pillory, and gave him a drink from her flask. If E. has a small flaw, it relates to the sphere of reason and intuition. She is completely unsighted and very trusting; it is not difficult to lure her into the placed nets. The heroine is too carried away by her fantasies and dreams to really look at things and foresee danger. The ending is terrible. The heroine's real name is Agnes Chantfleury, and she is not a gypsy at all. Gypsies kidnapped her at the age of one. They gave her this too strange name- after the name of the bead that adorns the amulet on her neck. E. learned to sing and dance from the gypsies and, once in Paris, earns a living by giving performances (her faithful companion, the goat Djali, invariably participates in them). The good old gypsy woman predicted to E. that she would find her mother using a tiny shoe kept in an amulet, and this really happened, but only on the day of the heroine’s death. She turned out to be the evil old woman Gudula, who hated the gypsies and so many times sent curses to the careless dancer. First and only love The heroine, by a tediously boring irony of fate, became the empty fanfare of Phoebus de Chateaupert, a creature astonishingly primitive, ordinary and deceitful. In general, love in this novel does not bring happiness to anyone. Quasimodo's enormous selfless feeling is not noticed by E. (she is unable to overcome her disgust for his ugly appearance). The perverted, lustful attraction of Archdeacon Claude Frollo to her became the reason for her tragic death. Before the fateful meeting with Phoebus, everything was in a state of external peace. E. lived her dreams and hopes. Quasimodo only admired her from afar. The terrifying face of Claude Frollo appeared in front of her quite often, but only frightened her without causing significant harm. The archdeacon was forced to take decisive action by jealousy - first towards Phoebus, and then towards Quasimodo. Claude Frollo decided to destroy E. so that no one would get her. It was by his will that the last months of the heroine’s life turned into a living hell. At first, he arranged everything in such a way that E. would be accused of killing Phoebus (although he did not die at all, but was only wounded by the evil archdeacon). E. ended up in prison, was subjected to horrific torture there, but still chose death over the love of Claude Frollo. Only by a miracle did Quasimodo manage to save Esmeralda, literally snatching her from the hands of the executioner. He took the condemned woman to the cathedral, where, by law, no one had the right to touch her, and asked her never to leave there. But Claude Frollo again managed to deceive E. Using her friend Gringoire, he lured her onto the street. And this was the end for the unfortunate heroine. This time she was hanged. Hugo's novel is built on contrasts and oppositions: E. and Quasimodo - beauty and physical deformity; E. and Phoebus - sincerity and deceit, selflessness and narcissism; E. and Claude Frollo - selfless, sacrificial love and a selfish, lustful, deadly attraction... Pride and self-esteem are inherent in E. She is beautiful when she dances or sings, “sings like a bird, jubilantly and carelessly.” But, having fallen in love with Phoebus, she forgets about what is an organic property of her free nature. She is almost pathetic when she says to her insignificant lover: “I am your slave... Let me be disgraced, stained, humiliated, what do I care.” Love for Phoebus, beautiful in its essence, sometimes makes her cruel to those around her and to the people who truly love her. E. is ready to force Quasimodo to spend all day and all night waiting for Phoebus, shows dissatisfaction when he sees that the hunchback has returned alone, and even drives him away in irritation, completely forgetting what she owes to Quasimodo. Moreover, she does not want to believe the obvious and appreciate the delicacy of her ugly guardian angel: after all, Phoebus simply did not want to come to her and Quasimodo is absolutely not to blame for what happened. E. also forgets about the mother she so unexpectedly found. The distant sound of Phoebus's voice is enough, and E. reveals his presence, predetermining his own death, and the death of his mother, and the death of Quasimodo, so devoted to her. The image of E. became the main one in the opera libretto “Esmeralda” written by Hugo himself, the music for which was composed by many composers, including A.S. Dargomyzhsky. E. became the main character ballet of the same name Italian composer K.Puni.

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