The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (in French, Notre-Dame de Paris) is a novel first published in 1831 by the French literary giant Victor Hugo.

Reception of the work

The title given in some English translations has led some people to believe the primary character of the drama was the hunchback, Quasimodo. However, this was not the author's intent. The author felt the primary character was the Notre Dame de Paris itself, the Cathedral. The human drama within the novel revolves around the gypsy Esmeralda, and which of several suitors she will choose. Other notable characters include the philosophical poet Gringoire, Claude Frollo--the lust-haunted priest, and the soldier, Phoebus. Generally most readers consider Quasimodo, Esmeralda, and Claude Frollo to be the story's three major characters.

Related Topics:
Hunchback - Quasimodo - Cathedral - Claude Frollo - Priest - Phoebus - Esmeralda

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The story has been adapted to the screen a number of times, including:

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• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), silent film starring Lon Chaney, Sr. as Quasimodo
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), starring Charles Laughton
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956), starring Anthony Quinn
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982), starring Anthony Hopkins and Derek Jacobi
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), animated film by Walt Disney Pictures

It was also performed as a musical, the "original" story and the much-altered Disney version.

Related Topics:
Musical - Disney

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