The story of Esmeralda from Disney's The Hunchback of the Notre-Dame franchise.
Background[]
Esmeralda is a young Romani woman residing underneath Paris, in the hidden catacombs known as the Court of Miracles. She is a member of the Romani culture, led by Clopin, and works as an entertainment performer, or more specifically, a dancer, both on the streets and during more professional events, such as the Festival of Fools. She is regularly accompanied by her goat, Djali, who acts as her pet, confidante, and assistant during her performances. Additionally, Esmeralda takes her role as an outspoken humanitarian, which drives her to protect her fellow Romani from his oppressors—namely Claude Frollo. This act of mercy, coupled with her beauty and cultural background, makes Esmeralda the main target of Frollo's wrath.
Story[]
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)[]
Esmeralda performing with her tambourine.
Esmeralda is first seen dancing in the streets for coins. Two guards come along and harass her, but with the help of Djali and Phoebus, Esmeralda escapes. Later, she's seen in a tent, preparing for her performance at the Festival of Fools, when Quasimodo accidentally stumbles into her tent. She checks him for injury, tells him to be more careful, then compliments his "mask". She is then introduced by Clopin as the star attraction for the Festival of Fools and her dance performance catches the attention of everyone, even Frollo. When the time comes to crown the king of fools, she pulls Quasimodo onto the stage, thinking his face to be a mask. She is understandably surprised to find out it's really his face. When the crowd is torturing Quasimodo, she comes to his aid and accuses Frollo of cruelty for not having intervened sooner and for not providing justice to those who most need it. Frollo orders her arrest for her defiance, but she uses stage magic to disappear, for which Frollo accuses her of witchcraft.
Esmeralda expertly dodges and outwits the soldiers sent after her and ultimately disappears from view by flipping onto a tent, after sufficiently humiliating Frollo and the sentries. Esmeralda is next seen following Quasimodo into the cathedral disguised together with Djali as an old man, but is followed by Phoebus. She is initially aggressive towards him, up to the point of attacking him with a candelabra, but engages in conversation when he puts away his sword and introduces himself. When Frollo arrives and orders Phoebus to arrest her, Phoebus refuses, saying that Esmeralda has claimed sanctuary. Frollo and the soldiers are ordered out of the church by the Archdeacon. Frollo stays behind long enough to warn her that she can only stay inside for so long, then proceeds to sexually harass her, eliciting repulsion from her. Frollo leaves and stations guards at every door, forcing Esmeralda to rethink her exit strategy. The Archdeacon counsels her against antagonizing Frollo further, and at his suggestion, she offers a heartfelt prayer to God to help her and her people.
Quasi and Esmeralda getting to know each other after the Festival disaster and the parishioner's mistreatment on the former.
Enchanted by her song, Quasimodo watches from afar and stumbles on some candles, alerting her of his presence after a parishioner loudly accuses him of causing trouble. Quasimodo escapes away to the bell tower, and she chases him, attempting to apologize to him for bringing him onto the stage. She then stumbles upon Quasimodo's workshop and is instantly impressed by his talent. He understands that she means him no harm and decides to give her a tour of the bell tower. He shows her the many bells in the cathedral which he named himself. He then shows her the view which amazes her the most. Esmeralda then expresses her surprise that such a cruel man like Frollo raised such a wonderful boy. Quasimodo says that Frollo took him in even though he is a monster. Esmeralda cites Frollo's lie that Romani are evil and says Frollo may be wrong about them both. Quasimodo offers to let her live with him in the bell tower, where she can have a sanctuary, but she expresses her desire to escape the church as "Gypsies don't do well in stone walls". Quasimodo carries her and Djali down the tower to the streets, where she can escape. Esmeralda asks him to come with her, but he knows he wouldn't be welcome, and his place remains in the tower. Esmeralda promises they will meet again and gives him a pendant that will lead him to the Court of Miracles, where all the Romani are hiding. Shortly afterwards, Frollo learns of her escape and initiates a manhunt for her and throws the city into chaos.
Esmeralda saves a wounded and unconscious Phoebus from drowning.
She observes from a distance and sees him burn down an innocent family's house. Phoebus saves them in time and is nearly executed for it. She uses her sash to slingshot a rock at Frollo's horse, creating a diversion that allows Phoebus to escape by horseback, but Frollo has his guards shoot Phoebus, who is knocked off of Frollo's horse and into the river below. Esmeralda's quick thinking and medical attention save Phoebus' life, and she brings him to Quasimodo whom she knows will help her. She tends to his wounds and passionately kisses Phoebus, unwittingly breaking Quasimodo's heart as he was convinced she loved him. She escapes the bell tower when she hears Frollo approaching and leaves Phoebus in Quasimodo's care. Frollo bluffs that he knows where the Court of Miracles is and that he'll attack it at dawn with a thousand men. Quasimodo and Phoebus quickly reach the Court of Miracles using the map Esmeralda gave them to try and warn everyone. At first, the two are almost hanged by Clopin for being spies, but Esmeralda appears just in time to stop Clopin and clear up the whole situation. Phoebus reveals that Frollo will be attacking at dawn. Esmeralda states that they all need to leave immediately. She embraces Phoebus thanking him for coming to warn them even though it was a risk, but Phoebus tells her Quasimodo is to thank. Seconds later, Frollo suddenly appears with his army, having used Quasimodo to lead him there. Frollo claims that Quasimodo lead him right to Esmeralda, who's furious to hear this, but instead of allowing the blame to fall on Quasimodo, she calls Frollo a liar. She and everyone are captured and she's sentenced to burn at the stake for the crime of witchcraft. In the square the next day at dawn a large crowd protests Esmeralda's execution. As Frollo holds the torch to set the pyre ablaze, he offers her one last chance to be with him or be burned. She spits in his face in utter contempt as she refuses to be his lover, and he attempts to burn her alive.
She is saved in time by Quasimodo, but only after suffering smoke inhalation and falling unconscious. Quasimodo cries over her seemingly dead body before fighting off Frollo. Esmeralda manages to awaken, alive, and is rescued by Quasimodo from Frollo's attacks. They hide by holding onto the balcony of the bell tower, beneath Frollo's line of sight, but Frollo finds them and attacks them with his sword. Eventually, Esmeralda is knocked away and Frollo tries to get Quasimodo off his feet but is pulled down with Quasimodo. Esmeralda holds Quasi for dear life and was willing to die with Quasimodo as Frollo climbs up on a gargoyle and prepares to strike her with his sword, saying, "And he shall smite the wicked and plunge them into a fiery pit!" However, the gargoyle breaks off the cathedral, causing Frollo to fall to his fiery death. Esmeralda loses her grip on Quasimodo, but Phoebus, who found a way into the cathedral after Quasimodo and the gargoyles poured molten lead that prevented Frollo's soldiers from breaking in, saves him.
Esmeralda is relieved seeing Quasimodo saved and rushes into his arms, choosing him over Phoebus. Phoebus, realizing Quasimodo's feelings for Esmeralda, stands aside so Quasimodo can be with her. However, Quasimodo, now knowing he only loves Esmeralda as a friend, pulls them together and interlocks their hands. Quasimodo and Esmeralda look into each other's eyes, assuring her she should be with Phoebus, and she nods in agreement. Quasimodo gives them his blessing, and the two kiss. As Phoebus and Esmeralda emerge safely from the church to cheers to triumph from the crowd, Esmeralda extends her hand to Quasimodo to join them outside. As Quasimodo joins her, he is finally accepted into the town population.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II[]
Esmeralda has married Phoebus and they have a son named Zephyr. She also wears black shoes instead of being barefoot. Her role in the film is much smaller than her part in the original, with the story now focusing on Quasimodo finding a love interest in Madellaine.
Whenever Quasimodo had problems in the film, he usually turned to Esmeralda for advice. At one point, a very valuable bell was stolen by the new antagonist, Sarousch. Though distressed about the situation, Esmeralda joined Phoebus in watching a newly revealed (albeit misunderstood) villain named Madellaine and any other prisoners. When Madellaine revealed Sarousch was taking the bell to an underground escape passage, Esmeralda convinced a suspicious Phoebus to give her the benefit of the doubt. As such, Phoebus pursued Sarousch, and Esmeralda followed.
After Sarousch was arrested and their son rescued, Esmeralda returned to the festival with everyone else. She and Phoebus were shown to have reconciled as they are seen smiling at each other before sharing a kiss. Esmeralda then smiled as she witnessed the new union of Quasimodo and Madellaine.
Other appearances[]
House of Mouse[]
Esmeralda makes a few cameo appearances in the House of Mouse, usually with Quasimodo. Her most notable appearance is in "Ask Von Drake", she is seen dancing on a table during Ludwig Von Drake's song.
Once Upon a Studio[]
In Once Upon a Studio, after Goofy accidentally destroys the camera intended for a group photo, a disappointed Esmeralda is seen returning inside with many of her cohorts until Alan-A-Dale starts a singalong to "When You Wish Upon a Star". Esmeralda joins in, and can be seen standing beside Phoebus and Frollo in the final shot.
Video games[]
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance[]
Esmeralda as she appears in Kingdom Hearts.
Esmeralda appears in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, in her homeworld La Cité des Cloches, with a role similar to that of the film.
When Riku arrives in the city, Esmeralda runs past him after she escapes from Frollo and Phoebus through a magic trick. Phoebus approaches Riku and questions if he saw a "gypsy" (a degrading term for Romani people) pass him, to which he denies.
Once Phoebus was gone, a grateful Esmeralda introduces herself to Riku and expresses her gratitude to him. Later, she helps Quasimodo escape into Notre Dame after things went wrong during the Festival of Fools. However, Claude Frollo, the Minister of Justice of Paris and Quasimodo's guardian, who harbors a deep hatred for Romani people, prevents her from leaving by posting guards at the entrances as vengeance for saving the hunchback. Inside, Quasimodo offers her a place at the sanctuary.
However, Esmeralda declined as she didn't want to be confined between stone walls and gave Quasimodo a necklace that would guide him to the Court of Miracles, before leaving to return to the streets. Later, Quasimodo, Phoebus, and Sora meet her at the Court of Miracles, who come and warn her that Frollo is coming. Before they have time to escape, he comes with an army of Nightmares and seizes Esmeralda, who is later condemned to be burnt at a stake. Quasimodo manages to rescue her and following the battle that ultimately led to Frollo's death, Quasimodo blesses her relationship with Phoebus.
When Frollo accuses Sora and Riku of being witches, Esmeralda is nearby and runs in to hide the boys from Frollo's guards. Once the newcomers are safe, Sora asks if Esmeralda is the world's princess, surprising Esmeralda with the thought of a gypsy being a princess. Afterward, Quasimodo and Esmeralda take the boys to the belltower to show off the town from above.
The Sceptre and the Kingdom[]
In the Italian comic book adaptation of Kingdom Hearts, Esmeralda plays a minor role. When Frollo accuses Sora and Riku of being witches, Esmeralda is nearby and runs in to hide the boys from Frollo's guards. Once the newcomers are safe, Sora asks if Esmeralda is the world's princess, surprising Esmeralda with the thought of a gypsy being a princess. Afterward, Quasimodo and Esmeralda take the boys to the bell tower to show off the town from above.
Disney Heroes: Battle Mode[]
Esmeralda is a playable character in Disney Heroes: Battle Mode, she is Support Role hero. Her main skill is recreating the 'Justice!' moment from the movie, this skills grants allies speed buffs and energizes them. She also performs her fire trick performance to attack enemies, and switches places with Djali to summon him as ally on the battlefield, he then will keep attacking enemies, while Esmeralda will be in the back.
Esmeralda's friendship campaigns are with Robin Hood and Goliath. Other friendship campaigns are with Quasimodo and Phoebus.
Musical[]
In the musical, Der Glockner Von Notre Dame, Esmeralda is a young dancer who is a newcomer to the Court of Miracles. She get very frustrated with inequality. She has difficulty keeping her thoughts to herself which is why she had to move to Paris and why she gets in trouble with Frollo. She is not as sassy as she was in the movie but she does come off sweeter and naive, which is more like the book.
At the festival of Fools, Esmeralda meets Quasimodo, who was peering at her from the shadows. After her initial shock at his appearance, Esmeralda with good nature prompts Quasimodo to step up for the honor. As the drunken crowd becomes a mob, they brutally abuse Quasimodo while Frollo looks on in cold silence. Esmeralda alone shows kindness to the hunchback and rescues him. Frollo then steps forward to chasten Quasimodo, who promises he will never again leave the bell tower.
Concerned about Quasimodo’s welfare, Esmeralda ventures into the Cathedral, where she offers a different prayer from the other parishioners. Phoebus happens upon her, and there is a palpable spark between them. Esmeralda catches sight of Quasimodo and follows him to the bell tower, where she coaxes him from hiding. Quasimodo shows Esmeralda his view of Paris while his inner voices - his “friends”, the stone statues and gargoyles of Notre Dame - take in the presence of the beautiful Gypsy. Frollo arrives and discovers them. Clearly smitten with Esmeralda, he offers her sanctuary in the Cathedral under his tutelage and protection, but, questioning his motives, she refuses.
As his obsession with the Gypsy girl grows, Frollo begins prowling the streets at night, until he comes upon a tavern where the Gypsies spiritedly sing and dance. He sees Phoebus with Esmeralda and watches in turmoil as their flirtation escalates into a kiss. Back in the bell tower, Quasimodo remains taken by Esmeralda’s beauty and kindness. Meanwhile, Frollo convinces himself that Esmeralda is a demon sent to tempt his very soul.
The next morning, Frollo persuades King Louis XI to put out a warrant for Esmeralda’s arrest, and a search commences. Frollo targets a brothel known to harbor Gypsies. When Phoebus refuses a direct order to burn it down, Frollo has him arrested. Esmeralda appears to try and save Phoebus, and in the melee, Frollo stabs Phoebus and blames the Gypsy. Esmeralda and an injured Phoebus escape, and Frollo continues the hunt while an increasingly distraught Quasimodo watches the burning chaos from above.
In the bell tower, Esmeralda implores Quasimodo to hide the wounded Phoebus until he regains strength. Quasimodo agreed to help, and she offers him an amulet that will lead him to where she hides, the Gypsies’ mysterious Court of Miracles.
Arriving at the secret lair, Phoebus and Quasimodo are captured by Clopin and the Gypsies. Esmeralda intervenes, and the two men warn of Frollo’s impending attack. As the gypsies prepare to leave Paris, Phoebus decides to go with Esmeralda. She consents and matches his commitment to a life together while Quasimodo watched, heartbroken. Having tricked Quasimodo into leading him to Esmeralda, Frollo storms in with his soldiers, arrests Esmeralda and Phoebus, and orders his ward be chained in the bell tower.
In prison, Frollo confesses his love to Esmeralda and forces himself on her. When Esmeralda fights him off, Frollo threatens Phoebus’ life unless she yields to him, and he has Phoebus brought into her cell as inducement. Esmeralda and Phoebus spend their final doomed night together.
In the square the next morning Phoebus watched from his cage as Esmeralda is tied to a wooden stake. Frollo again offers to saver her if she will be his. She spits in his face, and enraged, he lights the pure himself. Witnessing the horror from above Quasimodo is galvanized into action, breaks free of his bonds, and swoops down to free Esmeralda, claiming “Sanctuary!” For her. He bars the doors of Notre Dame and carried her to his tower. Violence breaks out in the square as Clopin frees Phoebus and together they rally the crowd against Frollo. When the soldiers break down the doors and are about to enter, Quasimodo pours molten lead down on them. Quasimodo returns to Esmeralda, thinking he has saved her, but she dies in his arms. Frollo enters and tries to persuade the grieving hunchback that they can now return to the way they were. Quasimodo finally sees the archdeacon for the monster he had become and throws him from the tower to his death. Phoebus arrives and collapses on Esmeralda’s body in grief. Quasimodo comforts him, then picks up Esmeralda and carries her into the square, where the crowd, gathered to mourn, sees the hunchback in a new light.