The Hunchback Of NotreDame Essay Research Paper

The Hunchback Of Notre-Dame Essay, Research Paper

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

.Love is a universal language.. This popular quote

from many movies and literary works describes the importance

of love, and how there are no limits or barriers when

dealing with love. Many people cannot even help whether or

not they fall in love. There are many types of love and

they need not be between members of opposite sexes. In

Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame,

Quasimodo’s love for Esmerelda is not as strong as his

different sense of love for the Archdeacon, Claude Frollo.

Quasimodo loves each person in a different manner, but is

truer to the Archdeacon.

The hunchback feels, among other things, a love

described as Eros for the Mistress Esmerelda; whereas, for

the Archdeacon the love he feels is known as Philia. While

Quasimodo is drawn to Esmerelda by her inner beauty and

personal qualities, he admires the Archdeacon for his

powerful position in the social structure of the town.

Throughout the story, Quasimodo does his best to protect

Esmerelda. Contrarily, he is protected by the Archdeacon.

There are four types of love, only one of which involves a

man’s physical love for a woman and vice versa. This type

of love is known as Eros. It is defined as a relationship

in which two parties are physically attracted to one

another. Esmerelda, the gypsy, is quite beautiful. She

dances in the midst of a crowd near a bonfire: .All eyes

were fixed on her, all mouths hung open. As she danced to

the rhythm of the tambourine which her round, delicate arms

held over her head, she seemed to be some sort of

supernatural creature(p.22). Quasimodo is taken by her

loveliness just like most other men. However, because he is

deformed and hideous, Quasimodo’s physical attraction to the

Mistress is unrequited. Nevertheless, this attraction is

uncontrollable. Although he never acts upon his urges nor

openly displays his affection, the hunchback feels the type

of love called Eros for Esmerelda. Accordingly, he feels a

different kind of love for the Archdeacon: Philia. Just as

Eros as love stems from physical factors, Philia is a result

of external factors. The Archdeacon is a man of God. He is

considered the religious authority in Paris. Quasimodo

resides in the Notre Dame Cathedral. He takes a great

interest in God, and apparently shares this interest with

the Archdeacon. Quasimodo was taken in by Claude Frollo

when he was quite young. The two men grew quite close

together: .When the poor bellringer became deaf the two men

developed a mysterious language of signs and gestures which

was understood by them alone. Thus the Archdeacon was the

only person with whom Quasimodo maintained communication

(p.65). The hunchback feels a sense of love based on

comradery and years of relations. He deeply admires Claude

Frollo’s religious faith and charity: that is, the charity

shown to Quasimodo when he was only a young, abandoned boy.

The two men have a complex system of hand gestures and sign

language which they use to communicate with each other. This

illustrates their mutual correspondence and understanding.

Through these experiences and this upbringing, Quasimodo

develops a Philial love for the Archdeacon.

In the timeframe of this story, the late 1400’s and

early 1500’s, the Catholic Church is a major factor and

authority in virtually all of a town’s laws, transactions

and business. This being the case, holding the position as

Archdeacon, or head of the church, is a much coveted

occupation. Quasimodo admires the Archdeacon’s powerful

position. The hunchback himself enjoys authority as he

possesses the power of rule over people. This is visible

when he is elected Pope of Fools: .Quasimodo let himself be

decked out in them with a kind of proud docility. He was

then made to sit down on a brightly colored litter. Twelve

officers of the Brotherhood of Fools lifted it to their

shoulders. A bitter and haughty joy spread over the gloomy

face of the Cyclops [Quasimodo] as he saw under his deformed

feet the heads of all those handsome, straight and well-made

men (p.17). It is evident that he is happy to be exalted

among normal men, even if only for one night and he is

chosen because he wins an ugliness contest. Since Claude

Frollo holds such a praiseworthy position, the hunchback

respects him. He is also honored that such a figure as the

Archdeacon even associates with he, a measly and horrid bell

ringer.

As opposed to the Archdeacon, Esmerelda holds no real

power or authority. Rather she has the ability to see

beyond the exterior appearance of something, and learn about

its true value. She accomplishes this with Quasimodo. At

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