The Plot: Esmeralda; or The Deformed of Notre Dame

During the reign of Louis Xi, in 1482, Pierre Gringoire, a "poet and puppet show man" is preforming a puppet show for the "enlightened" and "intellectual" public. The people's attention is drawn, however, to the dancing girl Esmeralda. Gringoire tries to win over the few remaining spectators, mostly older women, but they also leave to watch Esmeralda.

Esmeralda

Claude Frollo, a monk from Notre Dame, gives money to Esmeralda saying that, "were it my soul, I would give it to thee, beautiful Egyptian." Esmeralda is upset, remembering that Frollo "follows (her) about like a dark shadow." She tries to make Frollo leave.

She discusses her discontent with some women, who assume that she is alarmed by Quasimodo, the "ugly hunchback" who is "on the battlements (of Notre Dame), staring at (her)." They then suspect Gudule, a recluse who hates all gypsies. Esmeralda explains that she didn't refer to Quasimodo or Gudule, but rather Frollo. To escape the monk Esmeralda hurries off. Gudule tells the women of her plight, how gypsies supposedly stole her only child.

Quasimodo, in the belfry of Notre Dame, laments his existence. He is "loved by no earthly creature" but can love nonetheless. He wishes that he hadn't seen Esmeralda, so he wouldn't feel so miserable about himself, as she is beautiful and his is not. Quasimodo throws himself down, but is called upon by Frollo. Frollo questions Quasimodo's loyalty to him, but Quasimodo reassures him by mentioning all of the things that Frollo has done, from his adoption to his employment.

Frollo tells Quasimodo that he is in love with Esmeralda. Quasimodo views love as a "blessed emotion" while Frollo views it as something he should be "reviled, mocked" for feeling. He orders Quasimodo tell help kidnap Esmeralda during the night, and the hunchback reluctantly agrees.

At the Gondelaur mansion, Fleur de Lys is concerned that Captain Phoebus is ignoring her. Instead of watching her sing, he is watching Esmeralda. Phoebus tries to tell Fleur and her mother not to be jealous. Esmeralda is invited topreform for Captain Phoebus and his fiance Fleur de Lys. Phoebus tells Esmeralda to meet at the Virgin statue.

Frollo and Quasimodo hide near a Virgin statue. Esmeralda arrives, expecting to meet Phoebus. Frollo orders Quasimodo to kidnap her, but he refuses at the last minute. Frollo attempts to seize her himself. Phoebus comes to stop him, and as a result, Frollo pulls out a dagger to stab Esmeralda. However, at the last moment, Quasimodo prevents Frollo from doing this by grabbing his arm. Phoebus tells Frollo to "begone or meet thy death."

The Court of Miracles

Quasimodo is conflicted about his relationship with Frollo, but he still agrees to help Frollo with his next scheme. He promises to protect Esmeralda from Frollo at all costs.

Gringoire, distraught from his earlier failure, wanders about. He ends up in the Court of Miracles, and is interrogated by Clopin, the "gypsy king." Clopin tells Gringoire that he'll be hanged if none of the local women wish to marry him. The one that does, a woman who Gringoire describes as "a female cyclops," is named Coucou. Clopin preforms the wedding rites, then he has the gypsies dance for the both of them. After that, Coucou and Gringoire leave together.

Frollo had been waiting for Esmeralda to arrive, as she lives in the Court. Phoebus accompanies her. The two of them sit down near a fire. Esmeralda makes Phoebus aware not to touch her amulet, as she believes it will help her find her long lost mother. Esmeralda promises to marry Phoebus, and that he will fix everything wrong in her life. Frollo watches with Quasimodo from a nearby window.

Frollo stabs Phoebus, causing Esmeralda to faint on the spot. Quasimodo is concerned that Frollo murdered Esmeralda, but is relieved to discover that she is still alive. Frollo guilts Quasimodo into assisting him into hiding Phoebus' body.

Clopin and other gypsies enter the room to find Esmeralda, distraught. Then, Captain Earnest and his soldiers enter to investigate. Earnest wonders how this happened, and Frollo provides an alibi. Captain Earnest promises to avenge his dead friend, and arrests Esmeralda, and Clopin and the gypsies attempt to stop them.

The dungeon

Later, Frollo comes to visit Gringoire, who tells him of his married life. Gringoire is forced by Coucou to do the work in the relationship, and Coucou is occasionally abusive.

Frollo visits Esmeralda while she is in her prison cell. She is horrified by him. He tells her that she is responsible for his psychological breakdown because he has become obsessed with her. He offers to save her from execution if she'll say she loves him. Remembering that he murdered her beloved Phoebus, she says rejects his advances.

The guards enter Esmeralda's cell. Frollo offers her again, but she says no to the wicked monk.

The day of Esmeralda's execution arrives. Quasimodo observes the area from the heights of Notre Dame. He monologues about how he wishes to save Esmeralda from death and from Frollo, but doesn't want to break his oath. Quasimodo decides that, in spite of his internal dilemma, he'll save her anyway.

Down below Gudule begs to see Esmeralda die. Locals are disturbed, as Gudule is a "christian woman." The gypsies weep for Esmeralda as she brought to the executioner. Even Gudule feels some pity for the unfortunate girl. As it turns out, Esmeralda is Gudule's long lost child, and Gudule is Esmeralda's long lost mother. Their reunion is short lived, as Esmeralda is dragged closer to the scaffold.

Before Esmeralda can be beheaded by a man carrying an ax, Frollo asks her to love him once more. As Phoebus is dead, she considers herself to be.

Quasimodo approaches the scaffold and pulls the ax from the executioner's hand wielding it above his head. He declares that Esmeralda "is innocent and shall not die" and brings her "to the sanctuary" and out of harm's way.

Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from death

The people, delighted, shout "Quasimodo" over and over again.

In the sanctuary, Quasimodo tells Esmeralda that she is safe. She wishes that she were dead, but Quasimodo assures her that she has much to live for, like love. Quasimodo explains that Phoebus is actually alive still, and that he will find him. Once found, he can testify on Esmeralda's behalf. Unfortunately, while the sanctuary may keep Esmeralda safe from the law, he knows it will not protect her from Claude Frollo. He decides that she'd be safe within a secret tomb, near the alter of Notre Dame. Esmeralda admits to no longer fearing the hunchback.

Phoebus was hidden away in the ferry house. He discovers a paper, which was slipped under the door. It was from Gringoire, who explains that Esmeralda will be executed that night unless he can prevent it. Phoebus cannot leave the house, as he is locked inside. To open the door, Gringoire uses firecrackers to cause an explosion. Clopin and the gypsies arrive, furious at the commotion, and threaten to hang Gringoire. Phoebus comes to his defense. Just in time, Captain Earnest and the other soldiers arrive on the scene.

Gringoire takes the opportunity to divorce himself from Coucou.

Quasimodo comes to visit Esmeralda, who is hidden in the tomb. He brings food to her, and tells her that he sent Captain Earnest to rescue Phoebus. He cannot speak for long, as Frollo approaches. He is searching for Esmeralda, and asks Quasimodo where to find her. Quasimodo refuses to tell him, as Frollo has a false perception of love. Frollo and Quasimodo struggle, and the hunchback is stabbed by his master.

Phoebus arrives, and Esmeralda pops out from the tomb to see him. Seeing Esmeralda, Frollo pounces to attack her. Quasimodo pursues Frollo and "dashes him over the balustrade." Quasimodo grieves over the death of his master.

Quasimodo shows Phoebus where Esmeralda is hidden.

Phoebus, Esmeralda, and Gudule reunite. It seems the entire populace has gathered here. Quasimodo is dying. As a gesture of gratitude, Esmeralda allows Quasimodo to kiss her hand. He hears the bells of Notre Dame, welcoming him. He dies.

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