QUASIMODO – THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - BLOGCHATTERA2ZCHALLENGE2022
When I was growing up, my mother would tell me stories in her inimitable manner, and I would absorb them like a little sponge. ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ by Victor Hugo was one story that entranced me from the very beginning. This was the tale of a hunchback named Quasimodo who was abandoned at the cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris, on Quasimodo Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter. Claude Frollo, the Archdeacon of Notre Dame took pity on the mite and adopted him and named him after the day he was found.
The poor creature, who was deaf and half blind, was born
deformed with a hunchback and a huge wart over his left eye. Often described as
‘hideous’ and ‘a creation of the devil’, Quasimodo had a lonely childhood, as
he turned into the bell ringer of Notre Dame. He was devoted to Claude Frollo
because he looked upon him as a saviour. It is for this reason that he assisted
the latter in accosting a beautiful young woman named Esmeralda.
Claude Frollo was fascinated with the young woman. As Quasimodo tried to kidnap Esmeralda, a handsome Captain named Phoebus de Chateaupers arrived and prevented him from doing so. Quasimodo was captured and flogged in public as the crowd jeered at him. Claude Frollo did not lift a finger to help the hunchback, and as the poor creature pleaded for water, it was Esmeralda who offered him a refreshing sip of water.
That little act of kindness touched Quasimodo and from
that moment, he was Esmeralda’s devoted slave. Claude Frollo, who had a
malicious streak, stabbed Phoebus in a jealous rage because he realised that Esmeralda
was in love with him. In an unfortunate turn of events, Esmeralda was accused
of the attempted murder and was sent to the gallows, but Quasimodo came down
from Notre Dame and rescued her by carrying her into the cathedral.
The final straw was when Frollo allowed Esmeralda to be
hanged and Quasimodo’s mighty heart broke. He avenged her death by killing his
master by pushing him down from the heights of Notre Dame. Quasimodo was never
seen again.
This tragic saga by Victor Hugo brought attention to the Gothic
beauty of the cathedral of Notre Dame which had fallen into disrepair at the
time. The story confirmed the influence of destiny strongly. The book became so
popular that it led to the much-needed renovations at the cathedral.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame
Unsplash
Numerous film versions of the book have come out over the
decades, the earliest being Esmeralda, a short French film in 1905, followed by
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, another silent film in 1911.
In 1939, a version was brought out starring Charles
Laughton and Maureen O’Hara as Quasimodo and Esmeralda. Anthony Quinn and Gina
Lollobrigida were a famous pair who played the main roles in the 1956 French
film with the same name. An animated version also became popular in 2002, with
Demi Moore doing the voice over for Esmeralda.
The book had had such an impact that it was adapted to every medium possible – radio, theatre, music, musical theatre, ballet and even video games.
The name ‘Quasimodo’ refers to someone with “a courageous
heart beneath a grotesque exterior”.
I am participating in the #Blogchatter A to Z Challenge! Happy Reading and Writing! :)
Beauty lies beyond the skin. What a sad tale but with an excellent message.
ReplyDeleteYes, Suchita, this story has always tugged at my heartstrings. The message is excellent but it comes through anguish.
DeleteWe had an excerpt of this story in our English subject in primary school. Back then too I felt for the hunchback and wondered why we were so stingy with our notions of beauty.
ReplyDeleteEven though we say that beauty is only skin deep, it takes a truly generous heart to see the beauty within, Manali!
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